Detectives from the Sexual Crime Squad have released CCTV and images of a man they are searching for following an incident where a woman was assaulted in Hawthorn earlier this week.
The 25-year-old woman was walking north along the western side of Glenferrie Road about 12.50am on Sunday 22 November.
The woman became aware of a man following her, so she crossed Glenferrie Road and continued walking south before then heading east along Burwood Road.
The woman called a friend as she was walking along Burwood Road and alerted the friend she was being followed.
A vehicle was seen driving slowly behind the woman before it drove past her and parked on Burwood Road on the north side of Henry Street about 1.09am.
The man got out of the vehicle and walked north on Henry Street where it appears, he waited for the woman to pass him.
At 1.13am, the man is seen grabbing the woman from behind as she walked east along Burwood Road and attempted to drag her down Henry Street.
The woman struggled and elbowed the man to the stomach.
He attempted to choke the woman before she was able to bite him on the arm.
The man let go of the woman and he ran north along Henry Street.
Two witnesses who were nearby heard the woman scream and followed the man for a short time into nearby Central Gardens off Henry Street.
They confronted the man before he threatened to assault them.
The man then ran back towards Williams Street before he was captured on CCTV returning to his vehicle at 1.21am.
The man depicted in the footage is believed to be about 183cm tall with a heavy- build and a pot belly.
He had short brown hair with a receding hair line and was wearing a black ski mask covering his face, jeans and a dark coloured t-shirt with an unknown motif on the front.
Detectives have conducted an extensive CCTV canvas of the area and are today releasing footage of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the incident.
Detectives are also urging anyone who recognises the man or his vehicle or remembers seeing him in the area on the night and may have dash cam footage, to come forward.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at .
Police have increased proactive patrols throughout the day and night in the area to ensure public safety.
