Detectives from the Sexual Crime Squad have arrested and charged a man overnight as part of an investigation into an alleged historical attempted rape.
Two search warrants were executed yesterday morning at residential addresses in Lalor and Epping.
A 64-year-old Epping man later self presented to Mill Park police station.
He was interviewed by police and subsequently charged with assault with intent to rape.
The man was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.
The charge follows an incident on 12 January, 2002, when a then 24-year-old woman was working in a Northcote furniture store.
She was approached by the man after the store had closed.
Police will allege he pushed the victim onto a bed and began to choke her. A witness interrupted the incident and a scuffle ensued before the unknown male fled the scene.
An investigation was conducted at the time and the forensic exhibits were stored in what was referred to as the cold case freezer at the Victoria Police Forensics Services Department.
In May of this year, further information came to light and investigators re-examined the investigation.
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Adam Henry, Sexual Crime Squad:
"This incident would have had enduring effects on the life of a young woman who had simply just been at her place of work - somewhere everybody should be safe.
"No matter how many years have passed, it is as important as ever that we hold those responsible for offending such as this to account.
"Historical investigations are unique in that updates to science, methodology and legislation allow us to progress a case in a way that may not have been possible at the time of the incident, and our investigators remain completely committed to seeking justice for our victim-survivors."
