Oceanside RCMP have arrested a man who allegedly exposed himself to three young girls on Wednesday, July 12 in Parksville.
Police had been seeking the man, whose image was captured on a surveillance camera, for nearly two days. The suspect, a 44-year-old from Parksville, turned himself in to the Oceanside RCMP detachment the morning of July 14, police said in a news release.
“The Oceanside RCMP would like to extend their thanks to the media and the public, in helping to identify the male who is alleged to have exposed himself,” the release stated.
The suspect was arrested an has since been released with “numerous conditions,” the release states. His name is subject to a court-imposed publication ban, to protect the identities of the victims he is alleged to have offended against.
RCMP were called to a business in the 100-block of Island Highway in Parksville at about 4 p.m. on July 12 with a report of an “Indecent Act” according to an RCMP news statement.
“The male… is alleged to have been inside the business when he exposed himself to three girls, 11 (years old),” reads the statement.
The incident was quickly reported to a grandfather of one of the girls, who called RCMP.
The suspect male left the scene before police arrived.
“The girls did exactly what they should have and reported the incident immediately to a trusted adult,” said Cpl. Janelle Shoihet, a media relations officer with the RCMP. “We were able to get to the business and collect valuable evidence in the form of surveillance footage, which I believe will be key in identifying the male in question.”
Anyone with information that could help identify the male suspect can contact the Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111 or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).