Police seek man who exposed himself to children

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Police are looking for a man they say indecently exposed

himself and showed pornographic material to three young girls on three

separate incidents April 25, authorities said Monday.

The man, believed to be about 30, approached the girls -- ranging in

age from 7 to 10 -- in public places, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Dale

Birney. The incidents happened between 3 and 7 p.m. April 25.

None of the victims were hurt or touched, Birney added.

The first incident occurred at the Mesa Verde Library, in the 2900

block of Mesa Verde Drive East, when the man stopped a girl and showed

her some pornographic pictures. He fled when the girl’s mother confronted

him, police said.

The second time, the man struck at the Newport Ballet Studio on Harbor

Boulevard. He reportedly entered the studio and walked into a dressing

room, officials said. He confronted a girl, showed her the photos and

then exposed himself to her. He fled when the girl walked out of the

dressing room, police said.

The man behaved the same way with another girl in the children’s book

section at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers store in South Coast Plaza,

officials said.

Birney said although the man has not displayed violent behavior so

far, he could still be dangerous.

“At this time, there is no indication he’ll get violent,” he said.

“But we’re always concerned when somebody is this aggressive.”

Birney pointed out that the man was bold enough to strike in crowded

or public places all three times.

The man has been identified as a white man standing about 5-foot-11

and weighing 165 pounds. He was reported to be wearing a red plaid shirt

and blue jeans during the first two incidents and white shorts, instead

of jeans, during the third incident.

Police said he was cleanshaven and had light brown, slicked-back hair

with a small part to the side. The man was also carrying a black canvas

bag with handles in which he was carrying the pornographic photos,

officials said.

If convicted, the man could face a year in county jail for each count,

Birney said.

People with information about the man are asked to call Costa Mesa

Police Det. Larry Torres at (714) 754-5039.