COLUMBIA,SC (WACH)-The Columbia Police Department said that officers are investigating another indecent exposure allegation. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the 2600 block of Monroe Street in the Shandon neighborhood.The female victim reported seeing a man in a silver sedan at approximately 4:45 p.m. while she was jogging in the neighborhood. The victim says the man asked her for directions. As she approached the vehicle, she noticed that the man was naked from the waist down and was fondling himself.
Afterwards, the man drove away and was last seen headed westbound on Monroe Street toward Harden Street.
he victim describes this suspect as being a white male, possibly between the ages of 30 to 40-years old, last seen wearing a white T-shirt.
CPD investigators are trying to determine if this incident is connected to the two previous incidents involving a man performing a lewd act on himself.
In those incidents, two women reported seeing a man fondling himself on several streets in the Shandon and Heathwood neighborhoods in mid-to-late December of 2011 and in early January 2012.
The suspect is accused of being naked and performing a lewd act upon himself during the same time that women are jogging in the area early in the mornings – between the hours of 5:30 and 6:45 a.m. That suspect is described as being a white male, possibly between the ages of 40 and 50 years old, possibly 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing between 150-180 pounds with a medium build. He may have a “low haircut” or is possibly balding. The man was also reportedly driving a silver Honda and no one was physically harmed during these incidents.
Columbia Police Information Officer Jennifer Timmons suggested a few safety tips to keep in mind when exercising outdoors:
-Be vigilant when you are exercising outdoors
-If possible run, jog or walk with a partner
-Try to run, jog or walk in well-lighted areas
-Know your surroundings
-Report suspicious people in your neighborhood to law enforcement
-Make sure you have your cell phone handy with 9-1-1 on a speed dial in case of an emergency
-Use caution when approaching strangers
-Use caution when speaking with strangers who may approach you
If citizens believe they may have seen this individual in their neighborhood, call the Columbia Police Department at (803) 545-3500.Columbia Police also encourage citizens with information about this man to call Crimestoppers at: 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Tipsters could earn a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
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