Police fear city rapist will strike again

A computer-generated sketch of the man. Photo / Supplied

Police believe the man who raped a tourist in a central Auckland park has stalked other women in the city and they fear he will strike again.

A 30-year-old backpacker from Europe was walking to Ponsonby on Sunday, June 28, after a night out with friends, when she was grabbed from behind opposite Franklin Rd, under the Victoria Park motorway flyover.

The attacker dragged her into a garden, assaulted her for 20 minutes, then robbed her and fled. He ran across the park and caught a cab at the Caltex petrol station on Fanshawe St.

Described by the taxi driver as "extremely agitated", he refused to give a specific address, but was dropped off at the Sunnynook Mall on the North Shore around 3am.

Police believe the rape is linked to "sinister behaviour" the following day, when a woman had a narrow escape in similar circumstances.

The 49-year-old got off a bus in Forrest Hill at 6.30pm and began walking home down Blakeborough Drive, a few blocks from the Sunnynook Mall.

She ducked down a side street when she sensed someone was following her.

"She turned around and the guy was standing right behind her, within touching distance," said Detective Sergeant Andy King. "She got a hell of a fright and called 111 before he took off."

He believed the two incidents might be linked, as both women described a similar person and were listening to music through earphones, making them vulnerable.

The man is blond, in his 30s and about 1.7m in height, of muscular build with distinctive acne scarring or pockmarked cheeks.

"Although the woman on the North Shore wasn't touched, this is sinister behaviour," said Mr King.

"We have serious concerns about the rape and someone who is potentially approaching other women.

"We fear he may offend in the near future and need the public to help identify him as soon as possible."

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.

The backpacker has flown home to recover with family.

She had been in New Zealand only a few weeks and had planned to live and work here for 12 months.

Mr King wants anyone who has been approached in similar circumstances or has any information to call him on (09) 302-6400.