An incident involving indecent exposure towards young girls in Rochester Hills has resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old Auburn Hills man. The suspect surrendered to the Oakland County Sheriff's deputies at the Rochester Hills substation yesterday and is currently detained at the Oakland County Jail, as reported by CBS News Detroit.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office had released photos and video of the suspect, asking for public assistance to identify him. After the images were circulated, tips from the public soon followed, which eventually led to the man turning himself in, accompanied by his attorney. "I appreciate the public's help with numerous tips coming in after the suspect's photo was released," Sheriff Mike Bouchard said, per Audacy. The suspect has not been named as formal charges have yet to be laid.
Several incidents were reported on June 29, the first of which transpired at the Village of Rochester Hills outdoor shopping center, specifically outside the Shake Shack on North Adams Road. The pre-teen girls noticed the man's inappropriate actions when he lifted his shirt, revealing his unzipped pants and genitals. Later on, they saw the man once again in front of the Barnes & Noble bookstore, where he exposed himself for a second time. When the girls confronted him, he fled the scene, The Detroit News detailed.
The timely intervention from bystanders after the girls yelled drew attention to the situation, prompting several adult women to inquire if the girls required help. Sheriff Bouchard expressed his concern about the severity of the crimes and the risk of escalation, "Repeatedly targeting young girls and exposing oneself is not only vile — it’s a serious crime," Bouchard said, according to The Detroit News. He added, "History has shown that this kind of behavior can escalate into even more dangerous acts, including sexual violence."
