Girls and women allegedly harassed on northern beaches; 13-year-old ebike rider charged with sexual touching
Arrest follows police appeal
New South Wales police said the teenager was arrested on Saturday evening after attending Mona Vale police station at about 7.30pm. Officers had established Strike Force Mexvo to investigate reports from walking trails in the Narrabeen area.
Charges and reported incidents
The inquiry began after reports of three alleged incidents on 7 and 8 October. Police also cited an alleged incident at Narrabeen lagoon on 1 October and a later report concerning two women near Bilarong reserve.
Police describe alleged pattern
Police allege that a male approached women on walking trails, sexually touched them and rode away on an ebike. In one reported incident, the male also allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments.
Before the arrest, Superintendent John Duncan asked the public to share information about the alleged incidents. He said the 8km bushland park had limited CCTV and camera coverage.
Key points
- Police allege 11 incidents involved girls and women aged 13 to 54.
- The teenager faces three offensive-behaviour counts and eight sexual-touching counts.
- The alleged incidents were reported on walking trails around Narrabeen.
- The boy was granted conditional bail and is due in children’s court on 4 November.