Police have released vision of a late-model white Toyota Corolla hatchback as part of investigations into two incidents involving two 17-year-old girls on the southern Gold Coast on Tuesday March 28.
Following comprehensive joint investigations with New South Wales Police, Gold Coast Detectives are currently waiting to extradite a 27-year-old Mount Druitt man, in custody in New South Wales following his appearance at Ballina Magistrates Court today (Thursday March 30).
It will be alleged that around 12.35am, a 17-year-old Tweed Heads girl exited a bus on the Gold Coast Highway at Palm Beach and was walking south when a white Toyota hatchback stopped beside her and the male driver offered her a lift home.
The girl entered the front-passenger seat, and it will be alleged that the male driver instead drove north around the backstreets of Burleigh erratically for approximately an hour, touching her thighs, before the girl jumped from vehicle, ran and hid in nearby bushes.
The man allegedly then exited the vehicle and searched for the girl, before returning to the vehicle and driving away.
The girl was not physically injured during the incident.
It will be further alleged that just after 5am, a 17-year-old Palm Beach girl was jogging along a track in Tarrabora Reserve, in the vicinity of the 'Pirate Park' at Palm Beach, when a man signalled for her to stop.
She did and following a short conversation where the man asked her for directions, it is alleged the man grabbed the girl around the waist before she pushed him away.
It is alleged that the man attempted to grab the girl a second time from behind, before she escaped south, raising the alarm with a person nearby who then contacted police around 5.25am.
The girl was not physically injured during the incident.
Subsequent investigations indicated the man had attended the area in a white Toyota Corolla hatchback.
The man is described as Caucasian, overweight build, around 165cm tall, with a round face and was seen wearing a black hooded jumper.
New South Wales Police have seized a white late-model Toyota Corolla hatchback, which is undergoing forensic examination.
Gold Coast Detectives have now released images of the impounded late-model white Toyota Corolla hatchback bearing NSW registration-plates, as well as CCTV of a late-model white Toyota Corolla leaving the Palm Beach 'Pirate Park' at 5.20am on Tuesday March 28.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this vehicle, or any information which may assist investigations into these incidents or any related incidents, to come forward.
Investigations continue.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
