Auckland City Police investigating the rape of a tourist in a central city park believe the offender has stalked other women and may strike again.
In the early hours of Sunday, June 28, a 30 year-old woman was walking alone on Victoria St towards the Halsey St/Wellesley St intersection when she was attacked from behind and dragged to an area of bush in the park where she was raped.
The attacker then ran across the park and caught a taxi at the Caltex service station on Fanshawe St which dropped him off at the Sunnynook Mall on the North Shore at about 3am.
It's possible the same man is linked to sinister behaviour the following day after a 49 year-old woman got off a bus in Forrest Hill at about 6.30pm.
"When walking down a side-street off Blakeborough Drive - not far from Sunnynook Mall - she sensed someone was following her and turned to find a man within touching distance," Detective Sergeant Andy King of the Adult Sexual Assault Team said.
"It's very possible the two incidents are linked and we need to know who this man is before he strikes again."
Both women gave similar descriptions of the man who is blond, in his 30s, stands about 1.7 tall and is of muscular build with distinctive acne scarring or pock-marked cheeks.
Mr King said the man might have returned home after the Victoria Park rape in a wet and dishevelled state, as the attack happened in a garden area after stormy weather.
Anyone who thinks they know who the sketch is of or who has been approached in a similar way should contact the ASAT on 09 302 6400
