Alleged rapist arrested after driving past crime scene on his way home from work
Warning: This story contains details and content that some readers may find distressing.
A man charged with six counts of rape after allegedly assaulting a woman by the side of a road in Brisbane was identified when he drove past the crime scene later in the day, police say.
A woman was allegedly attacked and raped in Brookfield, Brisbane. Nine
The woman, 23, was walking toward the Brookfield Road bridge at about 6.33am when an unknown man stopped her and assaulted her, police claim.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham alleged the attacker, who was on his way to work, grabbed the woman from behind and forced her into some bushes on the side of the road.
The assault took place over “some time” before the alleged attacker drove to work, he said.
The man was described as wearing a black jumper and black shorts.
Massingham said the woman had gone “some distance” to seek help after she was allegedly attacked.
Massingham said the woman had gone “some distance” to seek help after she was allegedly attacked. 9News
“She was a determined young lady that knew what was occurring to her was horrific,” he told reporters yesterday.
Disturbingly, the woman hadn’t been out alone, but walking with another family member who had been some distance from her.
This morning, Massingham elaborated, telling reporters the victim had crossed a creek and travelled through some bushland before emerging at Brookfield Showground, where she called a close family member and then Triple Zero.
He praised the woman’s bravery and confirmed she had suffered physical injuries in the alleged attack.
She has been provided with medical and psychological care and is currently at home with family, Massingham said.
Police alleged the attacker grabbed the woman from behind and forced her into some bushes on the side of the road. 9News
Police arrested 32-year-old Jacob Dave Henry Hauraki, a father from Ipswich, a short distance away on Moon Lane yesterday afternoon.
Police allege he was driving to work and stopped at Brookfield about 6.30am, attacking the woman at random.
Police arrested 32-year-old Jacob Dave Henry Hauraki, a father from Ipswich, a short distance away on Moon Lane yesterday afternoon. 9News
After the assault, he then continued on his way to work, located about 15 minutes away.
Then, after a nine-and-a-half-hour workday, he returned to drive past the crime scene, around 4pm, where his vehicle was flagged by police and he was arrested a short time later.
Massingham said two witnesses had come forward with dashcam footage prior to the arrest, helping officers link the accused and his car to the crime scene.
He was charged with six counts of rape as well as one count each of stalking, assault with intent to commit rape, assault occasioning bodily harm and deprivation of liberty.
Hauraki didn’t appear in person in court on Friday on those 10 charges but he was remanded in custody.
The court heard he had no acute signs of mental health issues and 9News revealed he was also known to police.
Extra police will be on the streets in Brookfield in the coming days. Nine
Police said the incident was being treated as isolated, but more officers would be deployed throughout the Brookfield area in coming days.
“I say to the people of Brookfield, tonight we are with you, we stand with you, and we are there in numbers to protect you,” Massingham said.
The investigation is ongoing.
As well as extra police presence in the area, investigators continue to work the scene.
Massingham said they sought the recovery of some of the alleged victim’s personal belongings, as well as anything that may have been left behind by the alleged attacker.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
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