A man who allegedly covered his face and filmed himself assaulting women who were exercising on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has been arrested by police.
The 20-year-old man from Mountain Creek is facing three counts of sexual assault, with detectives alleging he inappropriately touched three women.
The separate incidents allegedly occurred in three different suburbs over the past two months.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig said the women were unknown to the man.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig described the incidents as “brazen”. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)
“They were very, very shaken up because the incidents took place from behind,” Acting Senior Sergeant Duhig said.
“They had no indication of what was going to happen.
“They were obviously going about their business, exercising the same routes that they’d been taking regularly and for this to happen, it was quite alarming for them.”
Police alleged during one of the incidents the man covered his face with clothing, and that he filmed another of the alleged assaults on a mobile phone.
“During the inquiries that we made with him, there was an incident that was captured on his mobile phone,” the detective said.
CCTV leads to arrest
Acting Senior Sergeant Duhig described the incidents as “brazen”, as they occurred in busy areas during the day.
He said the first alleged attack took place on Glenfields Boulevard in Mountain Creek on September 11.
A woman also reported being assaulted by a man on Cavalry Way in Sippy Downs on October 29.
The third incident is alleged to have happened on the corner of Hawthorn Court and Karawatha Drive in Buderim on Monday, November 4.
The three women allege they were assaulted separately in Buderim, Sippy Downs and Mountain Creek. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
“One of the incidents was depicted on CCTV camera in a residence nearby,” Acting Senior Sergeant Duhig said.
“That led to the identification of the man.”
The man was arrested by detectives from the Maroochydore Criminal Investigation Branch on Friday and granted bail.
Incidents ‘rare’ and ‘random’
Acting Senior Sergeant Duhig said alleged attacks of this nature were rare on the Sunshine Coast.
“This type of random incident in … daylight hours is very rare,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast is a very safe place for women, especially when they’re by themselves and they’re exercising.
“Police treat any incident like this very, very seriously.”
Police appealed to anyone who had witnessed similar incidents to come forward.
“There could be other people who’ve had interactions with him, or that he’s had interactions with and there could be other witnesses as well,” he said.
The man is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 29.
