An attacker who allegedly built a specialized rape vehicle to prey on vulnerable teenagers has returned to the streets after his family gave him $500,000 to bail him out.
Garry Cook, 71, of Drouin, allegedly committed the 1998 rapes while he was residing in Menzies Creek – a small town 40km east of Melbourne’s Central Business District.
In chilling evidence provided to Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, police allege Cook was in his 40s when he caused a wave of terror across the Dandenong Mountains.
Image of a dedicated rape wagon that police believe Cook once assaulted a victim
The married father of eight faces dozens of charges, including six counts of rape, kidnapping of a child under the age of 16, false imprisonment, threatening to kill and sexually abusing a child under the age of 16. 16 years old.
The court heard Cook was able to hide his tracks by using his skills as a boarder to build and conceal vehicles.
Cook has run the ProCar Crash Repair Center, in Abbotsford, for more than three decades.
On September 24, 1998, detectives claimed Cook picked up a 15-year-old hitchhiker around 8:45 p.m. on Belgrave-Gembrook Road near Belgrave train station.
Once inside, he held a silver pistol to her head and drove her to a secluded area along a dirt road as he repeatedly raped her with a gun for more than 45 agonizing minutes.
When he was done, he abandoned the girl on the outskirts of Emerald and fled into the night.
While the terrified teen was able to provide a detailed description of her attacker and his car, including its registration number, police were never able to find the vehicle.
Police searched Dandenong Ranges for clues in 1998
Police claimed Cook had the crime again in December of the same year.
This time, his 15-year-old victim was targeted as she waited for the bus at 7:45 am.
She was just 10 seconds away from home when Cook is said to have suggested she take the elevator.
Cook again allegedly pulled out a silver pistol and drove her to a dirt road off Kallista-Emerald Road in The Patch.
This time he was driving a moroon 4WD wagon that, although clean, was still plagued by cigarette smoke.
The victim later described being pressed with a gun to the back of her vehicle where her attacker had placed a mattress.
Upon entering, Cook is alleged to have erected curtains for the side and rear windows.
He told her to cover her eyes here before repeatedly raping her in the back of the wagon and knocking her over.
Again, the teen was able to provide a detailed description of her attacker and the vehicle, which has never been found.
In protesting Cook’s release on bail, Senior Detective Shaun O’Meara said Cook not only resembled the photofit images provided by his alleged victims, but his DNA also matched DNA. of the victim at that time.
‘The defendant has access to a wide variety of vehicles and has the ability to use the customer’s vehicle to his or her discretion, the ability and know how to modify the vehicle, change the license plate and have a deep understanding of the crime locations ‘, he says. .
The detective claimed both of Cook’s alleged victims believed they would never get out of his car.
“Both of them believe they are going through the last minutes of their lives,” he said.
Police searched for clues in 1998. DNA was taken from Cook’s alleged victims, which they said matched
The Cook Court has been convicted of dishonesty matters dating back to the 1960s and ’70s and was recently charged with domestic violence charges.
In arguing for his release, Cook’s attorney Emily Clark said her client’s sister would offer a $500,000 bond to ensure he complies with all bail conditions.
Judge Kieran Gilligan agreed that Cook’s risk of recidivism while on bail could be mitigated by the bail.
He also said Cook intends to challenge DNA evidence including samples taken from alleged victims at the time and one taken from him during his police interview.
Last month, police launched a public appeal, urging hitchhikers in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges in the late 1990s to share their experiences.
Cook will return to court on November 17.
