RVC police searching for serial flasher

Rockville Centre police say they are stepping up patrols in search of a serial flasher who was seen exposing himself in multiple backyards around the village.

According to Police Commissioner Charles Gennario, there were three reported incidents since last month and all of the cases appear connected. The first occurred on Feb. 5 on Lakeview Avenue between 9 and 10 p.m. The other two happened on Feb. 27 on Brompton Road and Seaman Avenue, which have connecting backyards.

Gennario said in two of the cases, the man stood in the backyard and lured unsuspecting female teenagers with a light strapped to the top of his head. The subject quickly fled after being discovered.

“We don’t know if he’s specifically targeting teenagers,” said Gennario. “They usually run out of the room and get their parents and he takes off.”

Gennario said there has been an increase in marked and unmarked patrol officers in the area since the occurrences.

The subject was described by Gennario as “heavy-set”, 5 feet 8 inches and 200 pounds. Because the incidents happened at night, his race is unknown.

On Tuesday, a man was arrested on North Long Beach Road after being seen running naked in the area, but Gennario said that he was under the influence of drugs and did not match the description of the subject.

An unidentified sex offender who lived in the area was interviewed by police after the first incident because he fit the behavior of the pattern, but officials later found out through his parole officer that he moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. on March 1.

Gennario is asking residents to immediately call 911 or the village police department at 766-1500 if this individual is seen again.

“Get a direction of [escape] and notify us directly,” he said.