A quiet morning walk turned into a total nightmare for a woman in Camarillo last week. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is now on the hunt for a man who allegedly exposed himself and performed a disgusting lewd act on a popular public path. This disturbing incident has local police on high alert and they are asking for the public to help them track down the suspect before he can do it again.
🚲 Incident on the Bike Path
The trouble started around 10 in the morning on December 11 along the Calleguas Creek bike path. This is a spot where a lot of people go to exercise or enjoy the outdoors. An adult female victim was using the path under Mission Oaks Boulevard when she was suddenly faced with an unidentified adult male suspect.
According to the official report the man went way beyond just being a nuisance. He exposed himself and began performing a lewd act right in front of the victim. While the suspect did not try to touch her or say anything to her the situation was still incredibly scary and unexpected. Thankfully the victim was able to keep her cool and get out of the area fast so she could call 911 and report the crime.
🧥 Description of the Suspect
Police are looking for a specific person based on the victim’s description. The suspect is described as a white male between the ages of 25 and 35. He is said to have dark curly hair and a dark beard which might make him stand out to anyone who frequent the trails.
When the incident happened he was possibly wearing a green jacket and blue shoes. This description is being shared far and wide because the Camarillo Police Department wants this guy off the streets. Immediately after the call came in patrol services and investigators started scouring the area. They even did extra patrols overnight to see if the man was hanging around the area but so far he has stayed out of sight.
📢 How You Can Help
The investigation is still very much active and Detective Nate Rushing is the lead on the case. If you were in the area on that Thursday morning or if you recognize the description of the man you are encouraged to give the police a call at 805 388 5149.
If you want to help but stay totally anonymous you can also use the Ventura County Crime Stoppers line. There is a huge incentive to come forward because Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and a criminal complaint. They do not record the calls and they do not ask for your name so it is a safe way to report what you know.
⚠️ Advice for Trail Users
This creepy incident is a major reminder to stay alert when you are out on the bike paths or in similar secluded areas. Police are telling everyone to be aware of their surroundings at all times. This is especially true if you are alone.
One big tip from the department is to be careful with headphones. Using noise cancelling earphones can basically make you deaf to what is happening around you and that makes you a much easier target for criminals. Stay vigilant and report anything that looks even a little bit suspicious. The community needs to work together to keep these public spaces safe for everyone.