Police Release Images of Man Suspected of Flashing Young Oceanside Girl

OCEANSIDE, CA: Surveillance images of a man suspected of committing a lewd act on a young girl Tuesday in Oceanside were released Friday by police in the hopes someone in the public may recognize him.

About 4 p.m. Tuesday, the victim, an 8-year-old girl, was in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 100 block of Avenida Descanso — near North River Road — when she was approached by the suspect, according to Oceanside police Spokesman Ryan Keim.

"The man asked the victim if she had seen a dog [his pitbull]; the victim said she had not and the man exposed his genitals to her," Keim said. "The victim ran to her apartment and told her mother about the incident. The man was seen entering a black pickup truck and driving away."

Police described the indecent exposure suspect as a tall, thin, white or light-skinned Latino man with short brown hair, a beard and eyeglasses.

His vehicle was described as a mid-1990s to early-2000s model black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with gray interior and a distinctive sunroof.

Anyone who recognizes the man or the vehicle was asked to contact Oceanside police Detective Steve Stracke at 760-435-4703.

Additionally, police recommended citizens take the following steps when a witness or victim of suspicious activity or lewd behavior:

• If the suspect is in/near a vehicle, write down the license plate (or take a photo with your cellphone), and write down the vehicle description.
• Try to get the best description possible of the suspect (race, height, weight, age, tattoos, etc.).
• If possible from a safe distance, take a photo or video of the suspect with your cellphone.
• Call police immediately to help increase the chances of apprehending the suspect (Do not try to subdue the suspect on your own).
• Be aware of your surroundings and report all suspicious activity when it occurs.
• If an incident, individual, vehicle or circumstance seems out of place or unusual or makes you feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to call the police and report it.