A stretch of the Bear Creek Greenbelt that many Lakewood residents treat as their daily escape has turned into the center of a disturbing police search, after a man allegedly groped a woman and exposed himself to others along the trail earlier this month.
Investigators say one encounter started when the man quietly followed a runner toward the area near Bear Creek Elementary, then later groped a woman near the trail's stone house. Police have released a description of the suspect and are urging anyone who might recognize him to speak up.
As reported by KDVR, the incidents all took place on March 21 and involved at least three different women who were using the trail that day. Lakewood police describe the suspect as a Hispanic man of medium build with black hair. At the time, he was seen wearing a white sweatshirt featuring a large dragon design on the front. Investigators also shared a photo credited to the Lakewood Police Department as part of their appeal for help from the public.
History of complaints on the Bear Creek Trail
The March reports are landing on a trail that already has a reputation for unsettling encounters. The Bear Creek Greenbelt has been the subject of prior warnings after women said men were following or harassing them there.
Denver7 reported in November that Lakewood police had received multiple complaints about a man trailing high-school-aged girls and mothers with strollers along the same route. Around the same time, CBS Colorado covered related allegations of indecent exposure and harassment on nearby regional trails, highlighting growing concerns among solo runners and hikers who rely on those paths for everyday exercise.
Police photo and how to help
Detectives have released the trail image credited to the Lakewood Police Department and are asking anyone who recognizes the man to contact the agency, according to KDVR. Investigators say tips from the public could help them determine whether the same suspect is tied to other complaints on Bear Creek or nearby trails.
Authorities are also encouraging anyone who believes they may have been a victim to come forward so detectives can follow up on every possible lead. In the meantime, trail users are being urged to stay alert, run or walk with partners when they can, and report suspicious behavior to law enforcement. Lakewood police say the investigation is active and they plan to pursue all tips as they work to identify the man.
