Police Search for Suspect in Cary Flashings

On June 29, police say a woman stopped at an intersection in west Cary's Brookstone subdivision around midnight.

The jogger approached the woman and said, "Excuse me." When she turned to look, the man pulled down his pants. The woman stepped on the gas and left.

Investigators believe the man may also be responsible for several similar incidents in that part of town.

On June 30, police say a different man drove up and exposed himself to a woman in the parking lot of the Barnes & Noble on Walnut Street.

Police say flashers commonly strike in high-traffic areas like strip malls and shopping centers.

Since January, Cary police have taken 16 reports of men exposing themselves to women. Six of those reports came in June alone.

In all of the cases, women were the victims, and they were always alone. Cary Police Lt. Chris Hoina said the recent rash of incidents should be wake-up call to women who go out by themselves.

"There is always strength in numbers," Hoina said. "Women shouldn't be walking alone or jogging alone."

If they must go out alone, Hoina says women should walk assertively and be aware of their surroundings.

While flashers rarely cross the line of doing physical harm, women should still be prepared to protect themselves.