Police are looking for a man who allegedly committed an indecent exposure on a popular hiking trail in BC.
The incident reportedly happened on the Cable Bay Trail in Cedar near Nanaimo on Tuesday.
A 49-year-old woman called the police and reported the incident at around 1 pm.
Police said the woman, who appeared shaken by the ordeal, told officers that she had walked the length of the trail to where it branches to the right and left.
While walking towards Dodds Narrows, “she saw an adult man crouched down in some nearby bushes with his pants down.”
The woman told police that the man then quickly stood up and she noticed he was committing an indecent act.
She then backed away and walked as fast as she could back to her car and called the police.
Officers conducted patrols but were unable to locate the suspect.
“Although upset, the woman was able to provide an excellent description for investigators,” police said.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 40s, clean shaven and heavy set with long dark hair with some gray in it, pulled back into a ponytail.
He was wearing a long-sleeved, faded, plaid button up shirt and blue jeans. Of note, the suspect had an 1.5-inch red scar, possibly a birthmark, on the front of his right thigh.
“There are dozens of excellent trails scattered throughout Nanaimo and surrounding areas used by hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts on a weekly basis that are very safe to use. However, from time to time these sorts of incidents may occur,” R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Police urge hikers to be safe when out on the trails. If you encounter a suspicious person, do not engage and walk away. If confronted, make as much noise as possible, and tell others on the trail.
Always report the incident to police as soon as possible, and carry a charged phone with you.
If anyone has information on this incident, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
