Victoria Police have renewed their hunt for 78-year-old George Karakis, a rape suspect who has evaded capture for 50 years.
Karakis is accused of breaking into a Fitzroy home in the early hours of 22 July 1974 and raping a 30-year-old woman as she slept.
Arrested nine days later and charged with rape, burglary, and indecent assault, he was bailed but failed to appear at Fitzroy Magistrates’ Court on 9 October 1974 and has been “on the run” ever since.
Karakis was living in Gore Street, Fitzroy, with family at the time. He is described as 162cm tall with a 2cm scar over his left eyebrow.
Police last thought they had located him in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in 1990, but he vanished before a warrant could be executed.
A 2015 public appeal failed, but investigators have now released both his original 1974 mugshot and a digitally generated image of how he may look today.
Detective Senior Constable Ruby Roberts said the victim, now in her 80s, has spent most of her adult life aware that whoever was responsible had never faced a court for his actions.
“Sometimes the smallest piece of information is all we need to get that breakthrough lead that could result in an arrest,” Detective Roberts said.
Anyone with information about Karakis’ whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
