Detectives from the Sexual Crime Squad have this morning arrested a man almost 44 years after an 82-year-old woman was sexually assaulted twice in her own home in 1981 and 1983.
Following a renewed public appeal for information on Tuesday, 14 January, a search warrant was executed early this morning at a residential address in Hoppers Crossing.
A 69-year-old Hoppers Crossing man was arrested in Wyndham Vale and will now be interviewed by police.
Today's activity follows an almost 44-year investigation into the two incidents which occurred at the same residential property in Newport between September 1981 and July 1983.
82-year-old Jessie Grace Lauder, who lived alone at her home in Mason Street, was sexually assaulted on Tuesday, 22 September 1981 and again on Wednesday 6 July, 1983.
Jessie had lived at the property for 55 years and was widowed in 1977 and died in 1993.
On Tuesday, 22 September 1981, Jessie was in bed when a man forced entry through the rear door of the house around 10pm.
The man entered the bedroom armed with a knife and confronted her.
She was then taken to another room in the house and sexually assaulted.
The man is then believed to have looked through Jessie's purse for money before he left the property and climbed over the back fence into a vacant lot in Oxford Street.
The second incident occurred less than two years later.
On Wednesday 6 July, 1983 Jessie was in the lounge room getting ready for bed when a man forced entry into the house around 9pm, this time through the front door.
The man forced Jessie into the kitchen - police believe this was to ensure there was no-one else in the house - before taking her back to the lounge room where she was sexually assaulted again.
During the second incident the man made reference to the earlier offence and warned Jessie not to call police.
During the incidents the offender is believed to have worn gloves, a beanie, work boots and items over his face to conceal his identity.
He was described at the time to be aged between 20 to 30-years-old with a fair complexion, dark hair, 175cm tall and spoke with an Australian accent.
In 2016, a $500,000 reward for information was announced.
On Tuesday, 14 January of this year, detectives from the Sexual Crime Squad and Jessie's grandson, Malcolm Lauder, made a renewed appeal for public information.
Detectives from the Sexual Crime Squad would like to thank media and members of the public who provided information following their appeal earlier this month.
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Mark Burnett, Sexual Crime Squad:
"Though Jessie is sadly no longer with us, this is a momentous day for her family, and in particular, her grandson, Malcolm, who have fought incredibly long and hard for justice for almost 44 years for their beloved Jessie.
"By all accounts she was a wonderful and exceptionally stoic woman, and I truly hope today's arrest brings Jessie's family a sense of relief and some form of closure at last. Our thoughts are with them today.
"This has been a complex, protracted and at times, difficult, investigation by members of the Sexual Crime Squad - many of whom have moved to different units over the years - and their determination and perseverance is to be commended.
"We have also been supported by many other units within Victoria Police, and I would like to thank each and every single member for their assistance.
"It might have been almost 44 years, but Victoria Police does not give up on the hope of securing justice for victims. We will do everything within our power to ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions and face the full force of the law, irrespective of how much time has passed.
"I am extremely proud of our members today. Their persistence and dedication in seeking justice for Jessie has been unwavering.
"If you have experienced sexual violence or abuse, even decades ago, police will listen and we will investigate."
