2 days ago
Shock moment accused paedophile wearing The Muppets pyjamas with an 'unleash the beast' t-shirt is arrested
Dramatic footage has captured the moment an accused paedophile wearing The Muppets-themed pyjamas is busted by detectives in his home.
Two men, aged 49 and 58, were arrested on the Sunshine Coast by detectives targeting online child exploitation and abuse on Monday.
In footage of the arrests, detectives are seen speaking with the pyjama-clad 58-year-old as he sat on a couch barefoot.
In another clip, officers are seen inspecting a laptop and desktop computer and searching a room filled to the brim with books.
Army medals are also visible on a shelf.
The second man, wearing a black sweatshirt and black shorts, is seen speaking with officers while holding work boots in one hand.
The 49-year-old man was charged with one count each of using a carriage service to access child abuse material and possessing child exploitation material.
Police allege the man accessed child abuse content online, with multiple electronic devices seized from his home for forensic examination.
The Nambour man was released on strict bail conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 7.
The 58-year-old man was arrested following a search of a Sunshine Coast home.
He was charged with one count of using the internet to procure a child under the age of 16 and later released on strict bail conditions.
He is set to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 14.
Detective Acting Inspector Cameron Burke of Task Force Argos emphasised the serious risk online predators pose to children.
'Predators are constantly adapting to new platforms and technologies, which is why a whole-of-community response is crucial,' he said.
'Every app, game, or messaging service a child uses can be a potential contact point for harm if not supervised.'
He urged parents and caregivers to be involved in their children's online activities.
'Parents and caregivers don't need to be tech experts, but they do need to be engaged,' he continued.
'Understanding the apps children use, the settings, supervising, and keeping the lines of communication open are the key to prevention.'
