W&OD Trail Exposure Suspect May Be Linked To 21 Incidents: Police

HERNDON, VA — Police are investigating a total of 21 cases they believe may be linked to the 42-year-old Herndon man arrested Thursday in connection with a string of indecent exposures near the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Police are investing 13 incidents in Fairfax County and eight reported in the Town of Herndon.

FCPD arrested Juan Alfaro Rodriguez Thursday night at a business in the 1000 block of Elden Street in the Town of Herndon. Police charged Alfaro Rodriguez with five counts of indecent liberties and took him to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

Lt. Ryan Lazisky, assistant commander of FCPD's violent crime division, said police are investigating whether Alfaro Rodriguez is a suspect in a total of 13 indecent exposure incidents that occurred near the Reston/Herndon border of the W&OD Trail since the middle of July.

"I am proud to announce this morning that Fairfax County and the Town of Herndon are safer communities today than they were just a few days ago," Lazisky said. "Over the last few months, a predator victimized over a dozen people and shook an entire community."

Police say Alfaro Rodriguez was also wanted on warrant for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl about a year ago in Suffolk County, New York. He moved to the Herndon area in January, according to police.

Fairfax County and Town of Herndon police identified Alfaro Rodriguez as the suspect in the incidents on the W&OD Trail after receiving a tip from the U.S. Marshals Service about the New York warrant.

"Since the first case was reported on July 15, the Fairfax County Police Department has worked an intense joint investigation with the hardened police department to identify and capture a predator who has been assaulting and exposing himself to members of our community," Lazisky said.

As police continue to investigate the 21 incidents, Lazisky asked anyone who may have come into contact with Alfaro Rodriguez or has information about contact police at 703-246-7800, option 3.

"We do know that we have a series of suspicious events at the end of July, but when this really escalated and took a direction is when our detectives received some more validated descriptions and details about Alfaro Rodriguez that occurred about mid August," he said.

Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard released a video Sunday night, updating town residents about Alfaro Rodriguez's arrest.

"Ultimately, it was the victims who courageously came forward and trusted the Herndon Police Department to report to us their incidents," she said. "Based on the information we obtained from these brave citizens and victims, and with the information provided by the United States Marshal Service, and the assistance from the Fairfax County Police Department, we were able to remove a predator from our community."

Police also ask community members residing in the area to review home surveillance for any suspicious activity. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000.

Herndon Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted FCPD's Major Crimes Cyber and Forensics Bureau in the investigation of this case.