A flasher has struck at two especially public places around South Arlington today.
First, the man reportedly exposed himself at Pentagon City mall (although it’s not clear whether he was inside or outside the mall). Then, this afternoon, he flashed a VRE train as it rolled by in Crystal City.
The suspect is described as in his 30s or 40s. He was wearing a black shirt, dark jeans and a black baseball hat.
From this week’s Arlington County Police Department crime report:
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY/EXPOSURE-ARREST 05/13/10, 3800 block of Wilson Boulevard. On May 13 at 6 pm, a man attempted to flag over a transit bus. When the bus did not stop, the suspect punched a window on the bus, breaking it. The suspect then exposed himself to the driver. Brian Lavoie, Jr, 28, of Arlington, was charged with Destruction of Property, Indecent Exposure and Drunk in Public. He was held on a $3,500 bond.
If your only goal is to get a bus to stop, then punching out one of its windows and exposing yourself to the driver is actually probably a good strategy. We’re guessing the bus stopped at that point.
However, if your strategy is to get the bus to stop and not go to jail, then it’s probably a bad idea. Plus, last time we checked bus windows are pretty thick, which could be painful if you punch one with enough force to break it.
The rest of the report, including the arrest of some guys accused of doing creepy things, after the jump.
The Arlington County Police Department has issued a warning to women who use the W&OD trail. A man has exposed himself at least 11 times on the trail since mid-January, police said today.
The latest incident happened on Monday night around 6:30. A woman was on the trail near North Quincy Street when a man exposed himself, police said. The man is described as a white male wearing dark-colored clothing with a black ski mask over his face.
Police say women should avoid walking or running on the trail alone and should avoid wearing headphones.
Anyone who uses the W & OD Bike trail and observes any suspicious activity is asked to contact police. Police have significantly increased patrols on the bike paths. They also urge people who frequently spend time on bike trails and other secluded areas to be cautious and aware of their surroundings. Women should avoid walking or running alone, and they are encouraged not to use devices such as headphones that prevent hearing someone approach. Police recommend that bike trail users carry cell phones so that they can call police as soon as incidents occur. People should report anyone observed acting in a manner not consistent with other bike trail users, such as loitering in the wooded areas, as suspicious behavior.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact Detective Comer at (703) 228-4243 or Detective Austin at (703) 228-4241.
A man exposed himself to a woman on the W&OD trail in Glencarlyn Park around 6:30 Friday night, according to police. Investigators believe it’s the same suspect who has previously struck seven times since the beginning of the year.
The suspect is described by police as a white Hispanic male with shaggy black hair, 5’6″ and 160 lbs. He was wearing gray clothing and a gray cloth over the lower half of his face during this latest incident, according to investigators.
The details are still a bit sketchy, but Arlington police are investigating an indecent exposure incident that occurred this morning next to Williamsburg Middle School in north Arlington.
Sometime before 7:30 a.m., a man apparently jumped out of the bushes at 36rd Street and North Harrison Street as two female students walked by. We’re told he made “inappropriate gestures” and then ran off.
The incident was reported by a school resource officer. Police officers and a K-9 unit searched the area but couldn’t find the suspect. He’s described as white or Hispanic man with scruffy facial hair and a black cap.
Police do not believe this latest incident is related to the recent series of indecent exposure incidents on the W&OD trail.
A man exposed himself to a woman who was walking on the W&OD trail near the East Falls Church Metro station last night, according to police. This is the second such incident reported on the W&OD trail this week, and the seventh such incident since the be beginning of the year.
The woman was walking on the trail around 10:00 p.m. when a man wearing dark clothing exposed himself, police said. The suspect is described as 5’8″ tall, weighing 160lbs.
Police are asking anyone with any information about the case to call Detective Comer at (703) 228-4243 or Detective Austin at (703) 228-4241.
A man exposed himself to a jogger on a section of the W&OD trail near Ashlawn Elementary School Sunday morning. Arlington police are investigating whether this incident is related to a series of five indecent exposures that occurred in January.
In this latest incident, a woman was running on the trail around 9:15 a.m. when a man exposed himself, according to police. The man was wear a ski mask over his face at the time. He’s described as a white male, between 5’8″ and 5’10” with a slim build.
Police are asking anyone with any information about the case to call Detective Comer at (703) 228-4243 or Detective Austin at (703) 228-4241.
