Crime & Safety

Man Wanted in Sumner for Indecent Exposure to Teenage Girls

Sumner Police and Sumner School District released information Friday regarding a man wanted for indecent exposure to girls in two similar incidents, one just blocks away from Sumner High School.

Sumner Police and Sumner School District released information Friday regarding a man wanted for indecent exposure to girls in what appear to be three related incidents.

The individual is described as a thin African-American male in his early 20s, clean shaven, wearing military-style fatigues and driving a small newer four-door red car, possibly a Ford Fusion or similar vehicle. 

In two recent incidents, he has asked girls over to his car to provide directions. When they approached the car, he exposed himself to them. Both incidents occurred in the early evening hours and involved girls ages 14-16.

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The man was reported to police Tuesday evening after he exposed himself to two girls near Sumner High School. The second incident occured Thursday on Meade-McCumber Rd. E., between the Latter Day Saints Church and Rainier Park.

Police have also linked him to an incident last month where a man exposed himself to two adult female joggers near Mama's Stortinis in Puyallup.

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Sumner Police Chief John Galle told Patch his department has identified a potential suspect but no arrests have been made at this time.

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The incidents did not occur on school grounds or during school hours, but SSD notified school personnel of the incident. They’ve released the following advice for families:

It is important that children know if someone makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, they should tell a parent, guardian or trusted adult.

Parent and other adults can help keep children safe by reminding them that:

  • grownups should NOT ASK CHILDREN FOR DIRECTIONS, they should ask other adults.  
  • always TAKE A FRIEND when walking or biking, and stay with a group while standing at the bus stop.
  • if anyone bothers them, makes them feel scared or uncomfortable trust their feelings and IMMEDIATELY GET AWAY from that person. 
  • it is ok not to be polite and IT IS OK TO SAY NO. 

Sumner Police are investigating the incidents and are asking anyone with information to call police at 253-863-6384.  Anyone spotting suspicious behavior should call 911 right away.  Parents and guardians may want to remind children and teenagers not to approach vehicles or talk to strangers no matter how harmless or innocent the situation appears. 

Patch will follow up as we learn more.


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