Geraldton police arrest, charge 18yo man over alleged obscene act near Horizon Sculpture on foreshore

Police have arrested and charged an 18-year-old man accused of performing a brazen indecent act near children swimming at the Geraldton foreshore. Police had searched for the alleged offender for more than a week and had previously expressed concerns he had fled town or was in hiding at the derelict Batavia Motor Inne. A man was reportedly observed with his pants down performing an obscene act while two adults and two young children were swimming nearby, near the Horizon sculpture on the Beresford Foreshore on Thursday, January 5 about 3pm. This week, police released CCTV images of the man they wanted to speak to as part of their investigation. The next day they made an arrest. Geraldton police acting officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Nathan Johansen said the adults witnessed the lewd act and captured a photo of the accused before he fled on a bike. He said the man in the photo was known to police. Before the arrest, Sen. Sgt Johansen said police believed there was a “strong chance” the suspect had left town, was “bouncing between” dwellings or hiding at the Batavia Motor Inne incognito to avoid police. “A number of family have been advised police are seeking his whereabouts. Some say they haven’t seen him for a period of time, some say he may be staying at the Batavia Motor Inne.” After searching more than 10 addresses and making hundreds of attempts to locate the suspect, police arrested the 18-year-old on Thursday about 2.30pm at an address in Waggrakine. “The arrest was via the assistance of the public, who provided an address to have a look at,” he said. The 18-year-old boy was charged with obscene acts and was bailed with strict conditions to appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on January 19. Reports of similar acts were received by police in June and July last year, leaving Geraldton detectives searching for a man they believed was responsible for four separate indecent incidents against women walking along the foreshore. Police previously indicated they were investigating any possible links between last year’s series of incidents and last week’s lewd act, but confirmed on Thursday the accused did not fit the description of last year’s predator. “At this point in time, he does not fit the description. He is discounted from the previous incidents,” Sen. Sgt Johansen said. “People should be aware but not be alarmed of the goings on at the beach because usually it’s a safe area, but just be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behaviours. If you can get a photo pass it on, but don’t put yourself in harm’s way,” Sen. Sgt Johansen said. “Please report any suspicious activity, don’t be accepting of it, just report it. It’s not a silly thing to report and it’s for the protection of the whole community.”