“It soon became apparent to us that this person was aware of police methodologies, was certainly conducting counter-surveillance activities, which made the investigation quite complex.
“It wasn’t until the first of September that we were able to put a name to the face of the CCTV. Even at that stage, we probably didn’t have enough evidence to obtain a warrant.”
Dalton said the 33-year-old had been coming and going from Australia on working and holiday visas since 2019. In his most recent visit, he had been in Australia since January 2022.
He had no fixed address in Queensland, Dalton said, but had been known to live in New South Wales and Victoria. Detectives were investigating whether the man had been sleeping rough in the Stones Corner area.
Dalton confirmed the man, who he described as an “itinerant worker”, drove to NSW after the attack and he was known to be in the state on August 28.
Loading
He flew out of Sydney International Airport three days later, on August 31.
The man had previously lived at NSW and Victorian addresses, Dalton said, and his plane ticket had been purchased on the day of departure.
Dalton promised to provide an update when the man was on his way back to Australia to face justice.
“I’ll be on the plane next to him,” he said.
Police said the baby boy, whose name his family has asked not to be publicised, had been released from hospital.