How a local officer helped catch Aiia Maasarwe’s accused killer

Codey Hermann returns to court today charged with the rape and murder of Aiia Maasarwe.

Herrmann, 20, an aspiring rapper from Greensborough, was on police bail for charges including car theft, careless driving and criminal damage when he allegedly attacked the La Trobe University student on Tuesday night.

The Age has revealed a local police officer was among the first to identify him as a suspect in the horrific crime, having recognised the T-shirt and cap (pictured above) found near the scene.

• COMING UP ON 3AW: Sly of the Underworld gives Ross and John the full background story to how police caught the accused killer

21-year-old Aiia was found dead on Min Drive, near Plenty Road at Bundoora, about 7am on Wednesday morning.

She’d been at the Comic’s Lounge club in North Melbourne on Tuesday night, and was driven by friends into Bourke Street, where she boarded the 86 tram about 10.50pm.

The Israeli student called her sister about 12.10am on Tuesday night, her sister noticed the phone drop and voices muffled in the background.