Police have charged a 26-year-old Morayfield man after a girl was allegedly taken from a North Lakes shopping centre and assaulted on Saturday December 8, Queensland Police say.
Police will allege on Saturday December 8, a man in his 20’s attended a shopping centre in North Lakes and spoke to a 7-year-old girl.
It is further alleged the girl and the man left the shopping centre together and returned over an hour later. Police were contacted and immediately commenced an investigation.
Detectives from Pine Rivers Child Protection Investigation Unit and detectives from State Crime Command Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group established an investigation centre focusing on locating the man and establishing what had occurred.
Detectives arrested a 26-year-old man last night and he has been charged with one count each of deprivation of liberty, taking a child for immoral purposes and indecent treatment of a child under 12 years.
The man is expected to appear in the Pine Rivers Magistrate Court this morning.
Detective Superintendent Fleming said he was proud of the dedication and hard work of police in apprehending this person and putting him before the court.
"My thanks also extend to Westfield North Lakes staff for their cooperation and support to police in this investigation," he said.
"Crimes in circumstances such as this are not common, but it is a timely reminder that a very small number of people could take advantage of an opportunity to harm a child.
Children should be free to enjoy themselves, but it is important that we maintain appropriate vigilance of them and our surrounds.
Report suspicious behaviour to police either by phone or the Policelink App." (https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/policelink/)."
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
