Taskforce Argos arrest 71yo Redbank Plains man at fast food restaurant for child sex offences

An elderly man who brought condoms and chocolates as gifts for a “young girl” he believed to be meeting for sex has been arrested by undercover detectives at a fast-food restaurant in Brisbane’s west. WATCH THE VIDEO

An elderly man who brought condoms and chocolates as gifts for a “young girl” he believed to be meeting for sex has been arrested by undercover detectives.

The 71-year-old Redbank Plains man was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon at a Brisbane fast-food outlet where he thought he was meeting a school-aged girl.

Instead, he was met by detectives from Argos who had been posing as the child online.

Police will allege the man used an online chat forum to communicate with the “child”, sent naked photographs of himself and started engaging in behaviour police will allege constitutes grooming.

Argos detectives arrest a 71-year-old man for child sex offences as he enters a fast food business in Brisbane.

It will be alleged he was communicating with the “child” for a number of days.

It is alleged the man then asked the “child” to meet him for sex at the location, where he also brought chocolates and condoms as gifts which were seized at the scene.

Detectives then searched the man’s home where they allegedly found child exploitation material on his devices.

Argos detectives arrest a 71-year-old man for child sex offences.

He’s been charged with two counts of grooming a child under 16, and one count each of use internet to procure child under 16 and intentionally meet, and possessing child exploitation material.

He faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday and was released on bail with conditions.

He will reappear at court on June 5.

Argos Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson said undercover officers were working around the clock online to detect those who try to harm children.

Detectives found child exploitation material on his devices and he was arrested.

“Every day, day and night – to those predators, expect the next ‘child’ you message, to be a member of Argos,” Detective Inspector Donaldson said.

“This arrest is a reminder to parents of the dangers of online predators, and how crucial caregivers and trusted loved ones are in teaching children about online safety.

“Young people need to believe that nothing is too embarrassing or serious that they can’t come to you for support, advice or to report behaviour that makes them uncomfortable.

Argos detectives arrest a 71-year-old man for child sex offences.

“Supervision and communication are crucial to prevention – have the conversation with your children about how to stay safe online and the dangers of engaging with online ‘friends’ who they have never met face-to-face.

“Even if an app tells you a social media picture ‘disappears’, everything you do online leaves a footprint and could be seen by people and predators across the world.”