Residents of Joppatowne are advised to look out for a flasher suspected in as many as 29 cases of indecent exposure over the last two years.
The Harford County Sheriff?s office says the first incident occurred in January 2004, but the next was not until March 2005 and the rest were spread out over the next two years, with the most recent occurring Dec. 3 on Brooke Court. The cases were linked together by similar accounts from witnesses and victims describing a white male dressed in dark clothing and a dark ski mask.
The suspect usually will approach through the backyard, knock on a window or door to get the victims? attention, then will shine a flashlight to show that he is exposing himself, said Lt. James Eyler, spokesman for the Sheriff?s Office.
“Most of the victims are actually men relaxing in their family room or den, or asleep in their chairs after a long day of work,” Eyler said.
Most of the incidents have happened between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., and have been concentrated around the same area of Joppatowne. Some occurred along Foster Knoll Drive, Falconbridge Drive, Wycliff Court and Haverhill Road. The victims? houses are usually close to wooded areas, with no blinds or curtains on windows overlooking the backyards, Eyler said.
Police describe the suspect as being in his late teens or early 20s, between 5-feet, 10-inches and 6-feet, 2-inches tall, with a medium to slim build.
While some in the neighborhood have expressed concern that a flasher might move on to more severe sexual crimes, Eyler said such offenders rarely do so.
“It?s a nuisance crime. … We don?t know why he?s doing it,” Eyler said. “We?re not sure if it?s some kind of prank, considering the age of the suspect.”
Though indecent exposure is a misdemeanor, it can carry a sentence of up to three years in prison, a $1,000 fine or both, Eyler said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Harford County Crime Solvers tip line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Tipsters could be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward if their information leads to an arrest.
