DENVER – Detectives with the Denver Police Department need your help in an effort to track down a suspect wanted after allegedly exposing himself to a young girl near Northfield High School in mid-August.
The incident happened on Aug. 18 at approximately 6:30 p.m. on N. Xenia St. near the intersection with E. 54th Ave., not far from the high school.
Benjamin and Kaila Anderson said Monday their daughter was on a bike ride with her older brother when the incident happened — a summer stroll that took an alarming turn.
"It’s horrifying that something like this would happen," Benjamin Anderson said.
"It was very serious, and she had pretty clear articulation," Benjamin's wife, Kaila, told Denver7.
The Andersons said their daughter was approached by a man in a silver Ford Mustang who then exposed himself to the girl and asked her to touch him.
"And she came barreling home on her bike and shared this information with me," Kaila Anderson said.
Their daughter’s description was extremely detailed, and within minutes of the Andersons alerting neighbors in Northfield, surveillance photos and videos came pouring in.
"I think the (video) that was most disturbing to me – was the video where we’re able to watch him go around the same block multiple times, stopping and staring at our house each time," Benjamin Anderson said.
The DPD have now issued an indecent exposure crime alert with a $2,000 reward leading to the suspect’s arrest. The suspect is described as white or Hispanic in his mid-30's with a nose piercing and driving a silver Ford Mustang with a sticker on the back end of the vehicle. A picture of the vehicle and the possible suspect can be viewed below.
"A public thank you to the Denver Police Department," said Benjamin Anderson. "Thank you. This is the kind of thing we count on you for."
Kaila, from her part, said she feels "really seen by Denver police."
The Andersons are now working with a victim’s advocate and family therapist as they all deal with the trauma.
"How is your daughter doing?" asked Denver7's Russell Haythorn.
"We’ll see," Kaila Anderson said. "She was incredibly brave, initially, and had incredibly articulate details for the police officer. I’m very proud of her. Now there are times when she doesn't want to talk about it and has dreams about it."
As for the neighborhood, the Andersons said the support has been off-the-charts.
"It's incredible how hopeful and responsive and empathetic and engaged our neighbors have been," Benjamin Anderson said. "They treated her like she was their daughter. What we’re doing is calling on our neighbors all across the northeast part of the city or anyone who lives in this region to say, if you know this guy, please contact authorities. Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen to another kid."
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867. You can submit an anonymous tip and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for any information that could lead to an arrest.
Denver7's Russell Haythorn contributed to this report.
