Violent face-tattooed child rapist is finally arrested following a month-long manhunt - just a day after he was sighted near a prestigious high school
- Joel Pregnell, 37, a convicted sex offender, has been arrested following manhunt
- Alert was sent to parents of high school students as sex-offender spotted nearby
- He was spotted by police in the affluent suburb of Hampton in a stolen vehicle
- Pregnell has a distinctive cross tattoo on his face and is considered dangerous
A convicted sex offender has been arrested following a police manhunt after an urgent warning sent to parents of a prestigious high school.
Joel Pregnell, 37, attempted to run over a police officer on January 24 this year in a stolen vehicle and has been evading authorities ever since.
Pregnell, who sports a cross tattoo on the left side of his face, was spotted near Brighton Grammar, in south Melbourne, prompting the school to send a latter to parents.
He was caught by police in a car park on Redholme St, Moorabbin at about 6pm on Thursday.
Joel Pregnell (pictured), 37, was last seen in a stolen black Suzuki swift on January 30 in the affluent south-east Melbourne suburb of Hampton
He was previously seen in a stolen black Suzuki swift on January 30 in the affluent south-east Melbourne suburb of Hampton.
'Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance,' a Victoria Police statement said.
The registered sex offender was convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl in 2007 along with other offences, The Herald Sun reported.
Share this article
Brighton Grammar warned parents and students in their letter that the 37-year-old was seen in the Bayside area, near Gardenvale Station and in Hampton.
Officials from the school encouraged parents to talk with their children and ensure they call triple zero if they spot Pregnell.
Acting Victoria Police Commander Neil Paterson described Pregnell as 'dangerous' as he has a violent criminal history.
An urgent warning has been sent to parents of students at a prestigious high school after Joel Pregnell, who's on the run from police was spotted nearby
Joel Pregnell (pictured) is on the run from police in Victoria - he is considered dangerous, with the public encouraged to keep their distance
On Wednesday night there were three reports made in regards to a man approaching young girls near Gardenvale Station.
Officers were called to Beaumaris following multiple reports of a man jumping fences about 12.45pm.
Following patrols in the area, police were unable to find the man and it wasn't confirmed as being Pregnell.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
