Police search for a flasher

NORTHWEST GLENDALE — Police are searching for a man who exposed himself to a 51-year-old Glendale woman Wednesday as she took an evening stroll.

As the woman walked alone along West Kenneth Road, the man reportedly pulled over in his car on North Columbus Avenue as she approached the intersection, where he got out and stood by the open passenger door in nothing but a shirt, according to police reports.

As the man stood there naked from the waist down, the woman told police he pointed between his legs and said something indistinguishable, at which point she continued walking west on Kenneth.

The man then got back into his car — described as a small, blue sedan — and drove north on Columbus, according to police reports.

The woman — who later filed the complaint at the Glendale Police Station — told police that the man did not attempt to approach or harm her.

The man was described as being in his 20s, 5-feet 8-inches tall, 150 pounds with black hair and a mustache.

Another indecent exposure incident near East Lomita Avenue at West Louise Street two weeks ago saw a man with a shaved head pull up to a woman walking on a sidewalk in his gray car and expose himself from inside, police said.

As of May, Glendale Police have responded to or investigated at least six similar incidents, according to police reports.

"Being a large city, these types of crimes do happen," Glendale Police Officer John Balian said.

Reports of indecent exposure in the foothill areas are extremely rare, a deputy at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station said.

Small comfort for Melissa Kaart, who was out walking her dog alone Friday morning along West Kenneth Road near Kenneth Village.

"I would totally freak out if that happened to me," she said. "The fact that just anybody can pull over, do that, and then take off and leave you standing there feeling totally violated, is just scary."

Anyone unfortunate enough to become a victim of indecent exposure should try to get the flasher's vehicle license plate number so that detectives can track it down, Balian said.

If the victim is a child, running in the opposite direction without making any contact with strangers is the best strategy, he said.

But for Kaart, releasing her German Shepard, Sammy, from his leash would be her likely coping strategy.

"He might think twice if he had to deal with Sammy's teeth," she said.

While the two incidents so far this month are not related, it is unclear if any of the others are, Balian said.

Police are hoping a fairly detailed description of Wednesday's flasher may trigger the memories of people who were in the area at the time.

Anyone with information can call Glendale Police at (818) 548-4840, or call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip hotline at (818) 507-7867.