A Wednesday morning run on the Olentangy Trail turned into a jarring encounter for an Ohio State freshman, who says she came across a man masturbating in a wooded stretch between Tuttle Park and the Dodridge bridge. She told police the man was white, with dark hair, and appeared to be in his 30s or 40s.
Columbus police searched the area after the report but did not find anyone matching that description, and no arrests have been announced.
Student's account and police response
According to WSYX, the student, identified only as Lily, told reporters she spotted the man standing in the woods facing the trail. She said they made eye contact, and she immediately ran toward another person on the path before getting away to safety.
WSYX reports that officers canvassed the area between Tuttle Park and the Dodridge bridge but did not locate a suspect. Later that day, the trail was still busy with runners and walkers, some of whom told the station they were surprised to hear about the encounter happening along such a well-used route.
Where it happened
The Olentangy Trail runs for roughly 14 miles along the Olentangy River and connects Tuttle Park with multiple campus access points, making it a regular route for students and neighborhood runners, according to the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
That section of the trail includes wooded corridors and side paths where someone on foot could pass a person standing slightly off the main route, which can make encounters feel sudden. Park maps also show nearby construction in recent seasons that has at times shifted where people walk and bike.
Legal implications
Public masturbation or indecent exposure in a place like the Olentangy Trail can be prosecuted as public indecency under Ohio law. The state defines that offense and its penalties in the Ohio Revised Code.
