Police investigating the murder of Michelle Samaraweera and the two DNA-linked rapes in Walthamstow are reviewing previous attacks in a bid to trace the killer.
2:37pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in
POLICE hunting a serial rapist who killed widower Michelle Samaraweera are examining possible links with two other more attacks in the area.
Detectives now want to speak to witnesses to two incidents in the South Grove area of Walthamstow in March.
A man armed with a knife grabbed a 16-year-old girl in South Grove, opposite the Alpha Business Centre, at 10pm on Thursday, March 19.
Three men in a passing silver car witnessed the attack and rushed to the girl’s aid and she escaped.
A 46-year-old woman was sexually assaulted as she walked close to St Saviour’s Church, in Markhouse Road, at 11.30am on March 26.
Three men in a white van witnessed the assault and stopped to help, causing the attacker to run off.
The suspect in both attacks is described as similar to the serial rapist. He is of Asian appearance with a light skin tone.
Officers are keen to trace witnesses to the attacks but also the men who assisted on each occasion.
Detective Superintendent Vic Rae said: "Whilst these two attacks cannot be officially linked to the murder of Michelle Samaraweera we would like to speak to anyone who may have information that could help us.
"The six men who acted so courageously and intervened are yet to come forward and they may have information which could greatly assist.”
Mrs Samaraweera was raped and strangled in a playground of Markhouse Road on June 30.
DNA linked the killer with two other rapes in the area earlier this year.
Police are collecting DNA samples from men living in the area in the biggest operation of its kind since the murder of Sally-Anne Bowman in south London.
Anyone with information should call the incident room on 8345 3715; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
On June 29 a man, aged 36, was arrested in connection with the investigation.
He has been bailed to return pending further inquiries but a police spokeswoman said that he is no longer being connected to Ms Samaraweera's murder.
Comments(7)
Cllr Matt Davis
says...
1:17am Fri 10 Jul 09
Silversurfer
says...
10:01am Fri 10 Jul 09
It's in the bushes between the path and the fence by the railway line.Reports it to the council have been ignored.
Johnny Boy
says...
1:19pm Fri 10 Jul 09
The Stowaway wrote:During house to house enquiries carried out within the parameters of a crime scene house occupancy forms are completed for everyone as a matter of course, not just for the eight year old boy. All premises will be revisited if there is no reply or persons are away or at work, this has to be done.
The police called last week at the house of a friend of mine asking for a DNA sample, her husband was at work so they took the name of her 8 year old son (begs the question why?) and left, they have yet to return and my guess is they won't, a complete waste of time by officers who haven't got a clue what they are looking for. Why have they just decided to include these latest two cases, which apart from any DNA evidence because both attacks were interupted, they sound very much like they could be connected to me.
I hope this helps.
enna
says...
1:24pm Fri 10 Jul 09
They can't seem to win.
Fresh Gravee
says...
4:10pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Johnny Boy wrote:The Police have not got a clue who occupies each and every house. Electoral Rolls, Council Tax Records and other public records are in a shambolic state in areas like Walthamstow. Transient population, moving around frequently, in some cases to avoid setection by Immigration Officers mean that nobody knows how many people live in a particular house that is rented out.
The Stowaway wrote:During house to house enquiries carried out within the parameters of a crime scene house occupancy forms are completed for everyone as a matter of course, not just for the eight year old boy. All premises will be revisited if there is no reply or persons are away or at work, this has to be done.
The police called last week at the house of a friend of mine asking for a DNA sample, her husband was at work so they took the name of her 8 year old son (begs the question why?) and left, they have yet to return and my guess is they won't, a complete waste of time by officers who haven't got a clue what they are looking for. Why have they just decided to include these latest two cases, which apart from any DNA evidence because both attacks were interupted, they sound very much like they could be connected to me.
I hope this helps.
If this bloke is a failed asylum seeker, it will be highly unlikely that he is ever caught and is probably back in his homeland now.
Dreadful Boarder controls and the Country adopting a weak system, where the population is unaccountable leads to trouble like this.
Johnny Boy
says...
5:08pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Fresh Gravee wrote:Your absolutely right in what you say !!!
Johnny Boy wrote:The Police have not got a clue who occupies each and every house. Electoral Rolls, Council Tax Records and other public records are in a shambolic state in areas like Walthamstow. Transient population, moving around frequently, in some cases to avoid setection by Immigration Officers mean that nobody knows how many people live in a particular house that is rented out. If this bloke is a failed asylum seeker, it will be highly unlikely that he is ever caught and is probably back in his homeland now. Dreadful Boarder controls and the Country adopting a weak system, where the population is unaccountable leads to trouble like this.The Stowaway wrote: The police called last week at the house of a friend of mine asking for a DNA sample, her husband was at work so they took the name of her 8 year old son (begs the question why?) and left, they have yet to return and my guess is they won't, a complete waste of time by officers who haven't got a clue what they are looking for. Why have they just decided to include these latest two cases, which apart from any DNA evidence because both attacks were interupted, they sound very much like they could be connected to me.During house to house enquiries carried out within the parameters of a crime scene house occupancy forms are completed for everyone as a matter of course, not just for the eight year old boy. All premises will be revisited if there is no reply or persons are away or at work, this has to be done. I hope this helps.
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The Stowaway says...
9:36pm Thu 9 Jul 09