The Birmingham Police Department is currently investigating a suspect whom they believe to be the man responsible for two incidents of indecent exposure in the Birmingham area.
“There is a person of interest that I have identified,” said BPD police liaison Ron Halcrow, who declined to reveal the person of interest. “We just need a little more in depth of a case.”The individual in question was stopped during police surveillance on February 25. The subject and his vehicle matched the description of the man.
“[BPD] has complied a photo lineup using similar Secretary of State photos of white men in their late 30s and early 40s, put them together along with the person we stopped and showed that to the victims to see if they recognized that person,” said Halcrow.
Because the investigation is still ongoing, Halcrow could not confirm that the victims were able to identify the suspect.
BPD is in the process of trying to contact the suspect for questioning.
“At this point, we need more probable cause such as a confession, to move forward in this investigation,” said Halcrow.
The first report of indecent exposure was on Monday February 22, at 12:30pm the western parking lot at Midvale. The witness described a man between the ages of 30-40 years seated in a navy blue, American made four-door sedan with a thin chrome bumper strip on each side of the car.
On Wednesday February 24, a similar vehicle was observed by a 40 year old female who was walking out of the Art Center. She noticed the similarly described four-door sedan.
“As she approached the vehicle, she could see a shirtless man in his late 30s to early 40s sitting there looking to be masturbating,” said Halcrow. “She never actually saw him doing that, but from the motions that is what she assumed.”
Because of both the incidences proximity to Birmingham Public Schools, BPS is now warning its students and parents to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior.
“It is important that we continually remind our students to be cautious around strangers and to always report any suspicious individuals,” wrote BPS representative Marcia Wilkinson in an email to BPS staff.
“It’s just a reminder of stranger danger and staying away from anyone we don’t know,” said Halcrow.
Halcrow advises any community members who witness similar behavior to contact the police department immediately.
