Crime Stoppers: Bend PD seek tips in 2 indecent exposures

Bend police turned to the public for help Friday as they continue to investigate two incidents of indecent exposure by a man of similar description at Bend businesses earlier this fall.

Police Lt. Clint Burleigh said despite a lack of surveillance video or images in the second incident, police believe they are “more likely” the same person than not.

Despite no new reports since the T.J. Maxx incident, Burleigh said Friday, “Ware concerned if we don’t identify this person, we might have another incident.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, police were called to T..J. Maxx on North Highway 97 on a report that an unidentified male exposed himself in the clothing area of the store, Burleigh said.

An employee said a man had exposed himself “in close proximity” to a female customer in the store, Burleigh said.

The customer ran to the rear of the store and contacted an employee for help. The worker called police, but the man had left before officers arrived, the lieutenant said.

Officers obtained a description of the male suspect, described as 5-foot-10 and medium build, with sandy blonde hair, a goatee and eyeglasses.

The description is similar to one in a separate incident on Sept. 23, when police responded to the Regroup Thrift Store at 424 NE Greenwood Avenue on a report of a man “exposing his genitalia in a sexual manner,” Burleigh said.

“The suspect did this in the presence of a female customer and did not stop or leave until he was told law enforcement had been notified,” Burleigh said in a news release, adding that police obtained security footage of that man.

That suspect was described as 5-9 to 5-11, with a tall, thin build, sandy blonde hair and eyeglasses.

Though the cases and suspects are similar, police said they don’t have enough details to confirm a connection between the two incidents. Burleigh said T.J. Maxx did not have video of that incident.

Anyone who believe they might recognize the man in the photos was urged to call 541-693-6911.

You can also call the Crime-Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

“No one was threatened at this point, so we don’t have anybody who was threatened,” Burleigh told NewsChannel 21 last month. ” A lot of it has just been visually (seeing) some exposure.”

Burleigh said police are investigating the exposures as a public indecency crime, since the suspect performed the actions for sexual purposes.

A couple shopping in the area reacted strongly to the news Wednesday.

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting and l… pathetic,” the woman said.

A man said, “And it’s probably something that has been going on for a while. And this individual should be in some severe counseling, maybe even incarcerated for a little while”

Police said these case are much different than someone quickly exposing themselves in a drive-thru, as has occurred before, because they are purposefully exposing their genitalia in close proximity to the public.

“There’s a closer connection to people — when you step up and go into a store, you’re closer to people, and it does become a little bit more concerning,” Burleigh said. “It’s all concerning, but this becomes even more concerning. We want to make sure we can identify this person and take care of the situation, because we don’t want anyone to become assaulted or hurt.”