Gold Coast police search for man flashing children at shopping centres in city’s north
Police are hunting a man who flashed girls four times at two Gold Coast shopping centres over a ten-week period.
Police & Courts
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Police are hunting a man who flashed girls four times at two shopping centres in a ten-week period.
Three of the incidents happened at Harbour Town Shopping Centre on September 17, 28 and October 12.
The fourth flashing was at Ashmore City Shopping Centre on November 26.
Police originally put a call-out for the man in early November but are renewing their appeals for help and have released fresh videos.
One girl was only four years old.
Gold Coast District Police Child Protection and Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Greg Aubort said police were also urging anyone who experienced similar incidents to come forward.
He said the man was in his mid 50s to 60s and often wore a hat and a Covid-style mask.
The man has a “distinctive” body shape and is not “overly tall”.
Sen Sgt Aubort said: “He attracts their attention and then he exposes himself.
“He is doing this in front of the children’s families.
“He is doing this in front of numerous members of the public.”
Sen Sgt Aubort said police believed there might have been other similar incidents and urged people to come forward.
On some occasions parents or caregivers noticed what was happening and others it was not until later they realised.
“He is attempting to hide his identity on these occasions,” he said.
Sen Sgt Aubort said police had not been able to determine whether he left the shopping centres via car or public transport.
“These are really concerning incidents,” he said.
“At this stage there’s been no contact but it’s matters of exposure.
“A person who is acting this way in a public space is very concerning.
“The fact that it’s persistent and ongoing elevates it more so.”
Sent Sgt Aubort said there was “no cause for alarm” but it was important that police knew who he was.
“I don’t know what he does behind closed doors, but certainly we know what he does in public,” he said.
“The fact he’s doing this sort of behaviour in public is very concerning.”
Anyone who has experienced similar incidents or knows the identity of the man is urged to contact Police Link on 131 444 or their local police station and quote the number QP2201768571.
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