Residents in one Hamilton neighborhood woke up on edge this weekend after police say a man exposed himself in three separate incidents during the early hours of Saturday, including one case where he slipped through an unlocked window and was confronted inside a home.
Officers say the suspect is a Black or Hispanic man believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, short in stature and dressed head-to-toe in black. He ran off before police could arrive each time, but not before rattling a few nerves and convincing neighbors to double-check their locks.
Police say the incidents spanned three nearby blocks
According to Hamilton police, the reports came in between about midnight and 3 a.m. Saturday from three nearby locations: the 400 block of Sherman Avenue, the 100 block of North F Street and the 300 block of North C Street. During the North C Street incident, officers say the man climbed through an unlocked window, only to be confronted by a resident before leaving the scene, according to FOX19.
How residents can help
Police are urging neighbors in the area to secure all windows and doors, keep porch lights on if possible and call in anything that seems off, no matter how small. Per the Hamilton Police Department, residents can use the department’s non-emergency line at 513-868-5811 to report suspicious behavior that is not an immediate threat.
$500 reward offered for tips
Investigators are also putting a little money behind their search. The department is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with tips is asked to call the Hamilton Police Investigations Unit at 513-868-5811 ext. 2002 or Detective Mark Hayes at 513-868-5111 ext. 1230, as reported by FOX19.
State law and penalties
Under Ohio law, public indecency is covered by ORC 2907.09. Depending on prior convictions and whether a minor was involved, violations can be charged anywhere from a misdemeanor to a felony. The statute and possible penalties are detailed in the Ohio Revised Code.
