Geraldton police hunt for man accused of obscene act near Horizon Ball at Beresford foreshore

Geraldton police are continuing to search for a man who is accused of performing an obscene act near the Horizon Ball sculpture on the Beresford foreshore.

Police said about 3pm on Thursday a man had his pants down performing an obscene act while two adults and two young children were swimming nearby.

“The (alleged) offence was witnessed by the adults who managed to take a photo of the male prior to him riding from the scene on a bicycle,” Geraldton police Sen. Sgt Nathan Johansen said.

Police believe the person photographed by the witness is known to police and are actively seeking his whereabouts.

Sen. Sgt Johansen said the suspect could be linked to the four reports of alleged indecent assaults in which women were targeted walking alone by a man on a bicycle along the Beresford foreshore, between June and July 2022.

“It could possibly be, we will revisit those cases,” he said. “We will be actively looking for him until he’s found.”

Sen. Sgt Johansen said when the suspect was found, arrested and questioned, police would use investigative strategies including criminal profiling to determine whether the suspect was involved in prior reported assaults.

The man in the latest case is described as 20 years old, dark-skinned with dark hair, slim build and 170cm tall. He was wearing a dark blue shirt, khaki shorts and olive-coloured shoes.

Police said he was riding a dark-coloured mountain bike with white front forks and red highlights on the handlebars.

Last year, Geraldton detectives described the man wanted for the prior four incidents as aged 18-25, of dark complexion riding a dark-coloured bicycle. The suspect was never apprehended.

“I ask the public to be aware of this sort of behaviour and report to police ASAP if observed,” Sen. Sgt Johansen said.

Police ask any other witnesses of this incident or other similar incidents to contact Geraldton police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.