COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The Columbia Police Department has released a composite sketch that may look similar to a man accused of indecent exposure.
Police say this sketch is courtesy of a forensic artist from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
According to a news release, the indecent exposure incident occurred at Monroe Street in the Shandon neighborhood on January 29.
The female victim reported seeing a man in a silver sedan, possibly a Honda or Prius around 4:45 p.m. while she was jogging in the neighborhood.
According to the victim, the man allegedly asked her for directions.
The victim says when she approached the vehicle she noticed that the man was naked from the waist down and was fondling himself and then he drove away.
Investigators say they are trying to determine if this incident is connected to the two previous incidents involving a man performing a lewd act on himself.
In those incidents, two women reported seeing a man fondling himself on several streets in the Shandon and Heathwood neighborhoods in mid-to-late December 2011 and in early January 2012, according to police.
That suspect is accused of being naked and performing a lewd act upon himself during the same time that women are jogging in the area between the hours of 5:30 and 6:45 a.m.
That suspect is described as being possibly between the ages of 40 and 50 years old, possibly 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing between 150-180 pounds with a medium build. He may have a "low haircut" or is possibly balding.
Police say the man was reportedly driving a silver Honda.
No one was physically harmed during the incidents, but women who live in the area are on edge.
"For it to happen in this vicinity is very scary," said Shandon resident Sarah Partin.
"I really like this neighborhood," said Emily Goodwin. "It's a lot of families. I've always felt safe here. I think he's changed that. It does scare me. I wouldn't go running my myself anymore now that he's been out there."
Chief Scott recommends exercising with a friend, staying in well-lit areas and always be cautious of strangers.
"When I go to work in the morning, I look more before I get in my car and I'm more aware of my surroundings," said Partin. "Make sure the doors are locked and not to go out by ourselves anywhere."
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