A PERTH mother has described the horrific moment a man masturbated in front of her five-year-old daughter in a Subiaco department store.
The mother anonymously took to social media and posted a chilling warning following the incident on May 7.
In the post to Perth Mums Group, which has more than 38,000 followers, she wrote: “Please keep your children close to you as you shop”.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWShe described how her mother’s instincts had initially made her feel uncomfortable about the man in his 50s who “watched” them from the DVD aisle.
“I thought he looked out of place but I went on with our shopping,” she wrote.
“As we shopped I noticed the man in the next aisle and saw that he was exposed and masturbating.
“He smiled at me and said nothing.”
The mother alerted staff member and police following the incident.
The man was described as in his 50’s, more than 6ft tall, overweight with short grey hair and a moustache.
He was wearing a navy blue t-shirt, black pants, shoes and a red and white lanyard, and was carrying a red bike helmet.
“Please warn other mums,” the mother implored in her post.
A spokeswoman for WA Police confirmed officers are investigating an incident that occurred at a department store in Subiaco on May 7.
“Around 5pm a man was sighted in the store committing an indecent act,” she added.
“There were children in the store at the time.
“Police have various lines of inquiry that they are following up on and their inquiries are ongoing.”
More news
Best & Less to close one of its Perth stores
