Police are continuing to search for a man who exposed himself
and indecently assaulted a 5-year-old girl at Cooks Beach in
the Coromandel.
The naked man confronted the young girl and her 7-year-old
cousin before assaulting one of them about 7.30pm as they
walked along the Riverview Rd Reserve a short distance from
their families on Saturday.
Members of the public and the family stepped in and the the
man fled in a silver hatchback car.
Police were today still searching for the man, described as a
clean-shaven Caucasian with dark hair. He was carrying a red
and yellow towel.
Mercury Bay community board member and local business owner
Paul Hopkins told Radio New Zealand said the incident had
shocked the quiet community.
"They're pretty shocked actually. Certainly, I don't know of
anything like this that's happened before. We do get a lot of
big influxes of people of course from all over the place and
that includes people obviously of all types, including these
demented sorts.
"Obviously they need to catch this person. He's sick and he
needs help," he said.
He said there was a strong police presence over the summer in
the area, but could stay longer as it remained popular with
holidaymakers for several weeks, said Mr Hopkins.
Police were expected to reveal more details of the assault
today.
Anyone in the area at the time who saw a man fitting the
offender's description should phone the police on 07 858 6200
or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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