A man who allegedly covered his face and filmed himself assaulting women exercising on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has been arrested by police.

The 20-year-old from Mountain Creek is facing three counts of sexual assault, with detectives alleging he inappropriately touched three women.

The separate incidents are said to have taken place in three different suburbs in the past two months.

Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig said the women were not known to the man.

“They were very, very shaken up because the incidents happened from behind,” Acting Master Sergeant Duhig said.

“They were obviously going about their business, exercising the same routes they had taken regularly and for this to happen, it was quite alarming for them.”

Police said the man covered his face with clothing during one of the incidents and filmed another of the alleged assaults on a mobile phone.

“During the inquiries we made with him, there was an incident that was captured on his mobile phone,” the detective said.

CCTV leads to arrest

Acting Senior Sergeant Duhig described the incidents as “revealed” because they happened in busy areas during the day.

He said the first alleged attack happened on Glenfields Boulevard in Mountain Creek on September 11.

A woman also reported being assaulted by a man on Cavalry Way in Sippy Downs on October 29.

The third incident is alleged to have happened on Monday, November 4, on the corner of Hawthorn Court and Karawatha Drive in Buderim.

“That led to the identification of the man.”

The man was arrested by detectives from the Maroochydore Criminal Investigation Division on Friday and granted bail.

“Rare” and “Random” Incidents

Acting Senior Sergeant Duhig said alleged attacks of this nature were rare on the Sunshine Coast.

“This type of random incident in … daylight hours is very rare,” he said.

“The Sunshine Coast is a very safe place for women, especially when they are alone and exercising.

Police appealed to anyone who witnessed similar incidents to come forward.

“There could be other people who had interactions with him or that he had interactions with and there could be other witnesses,” he said.

The man is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court on November 29.