A sex attacker asked a woman for help with a washing machine before assaulting her in a communal laundry in Murrumbeena, police say.
Investigators say the victim, aged in her 20s, was followed home by a man at Murrumbeena station about 6am on April 23.
A man knocked on her apartment door a short time later and told he was new to the building and needed help using a communal washing machine.
“While they were in the laundry the man has grabbed the woman and indecently assaulted her,” a police spokeswoman said.
“She pushed him away and he continued to touch himself inappropriately.”
The victim ran back to her apartment and contacted police.
The attacker was described as aged in his 20s, of Indian or subcontinental appearance, about 165 centimetres tall, with a slim build and short black hair.
At the time of the assault he was wearing a maroon zip-up jacket with grey sleeves, grey tracksuit pants and black Adidas runners.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
This story first appeared in The Age