Nanaimo RCMP are advising the public of an indecent exposure incident which occurred on a local hiking trail this week.
At around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15th, the incident took place on the Cable Bay Trail located off of Holden Corso Road in Cedar.
Police say they responded and spoke with a 49-year-old woman who appeared to be shaken by what had taken place.
She reportedly told officers that she had walked along the trail to where it forks. The woman then began to walk towards Dodds Narrows when she saw an adult man crouched down in some nearby bushes with his pants down.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, the man then quickly stood up and the woman noticed that he was committing an indecent act.
Next, police say she walked away as fast as she could back to her car and called the police.
Officers then attended the area and conducted patrols but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.
Police added that the woman was able to provide a description of the suspect for investigators
Nanaimo RCMP describe the suspect as a Hispanic man around 40-years-old who was clean shaven, heavy set with long dark hair, tied back into a ponytail that is greying on the sides.
Police add that he was wearing a long-sleeved, faded, plaid button up shirt and blue jeans. Notably, the suspect reportedly had an approximately 1.5-inch-long 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,” R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. “However, from time to time these sorts of incidents may occur.”
Nanaimo RCMP have provided the following safety tips to keep in mind when heading out for a hike:
- If encountered do not engage with the individual and walk away
- If confronted make as much noise as possible
- Tell others on the trail
- Report the incident to the police as soon as possible
- Carry a phone with you and make sure it is charged
Anyone who has information on this incident or the suspect involved should call Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.
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