Watch CBS News

Police: Serial Flasher Has Targeted Children In Linden, Roselle Park

ROSELLE PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Union County, New Jersey were warning parents Thursday night about a serial flasher who has been trying to lure children into his car.

As CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported, fear and concern have taken over on the streets of Roselle Park.

"It's just disgusting, you know?" said Nick Capone of Roselle Park. It's outrageous, it really is."

Police said a man has been driving around and exposing himself to young children. They said the first incident happened around 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday in the area of Warren Avenue in Roselle Park.

Police said a man drove up to two girls, 7 and 9 years old. He called them over to his car and exposed himself, police said.

Police said it happened again at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Amsterdam Avenue in Roselle Park. This time, a man called an 11-year-old girl over to the car.

Police said in each case, the children ran away.

"That's sick. That's horrific," said Kevin Masse. "That's traumatizing to the young girl to see that. That's horrible."

Roselle Park police said the incidents are very similar to two other cases that also happened Wednesday in the Sunnyside section of Linden. One incident happened just before 3 p.m. on Myrtle Terrace, another at 3:15 p.m. at Edgewood Avenue and Summit Terrace.

Police describe the suspect as a 20-year-old white or Hispanic male with short or medium black hair. He is clean-shaven.

They describe his car he is in as a black four-door vehicle with a dark interior.

The police chief in Linden said children should not be allowed to walk around unaccompanied by an adult.

Police said there may have been a total of eight lewd incidents in the two communities – six in Linden and two in Roselle Park.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.