Old Northeast Residents On the Lookout for Flasher

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Several parents have seen him, and a few have even chased him. But residents in the Old Northeast neighborhood say that a fast-moving flasher remains on the prowl, and they are doing everything they can to protect their kids.

Danyell Jones says that he saw the flasher early Thursday morning after he walked his son to James Elementary School near Bellaire and Scarrit. He says that as he was returning home, he caught the flasher in the act in an alleyway – standing behind some bushes and exposing himself.

The frustrated father of three says he didn’t hesitate to approach the alleged pervert.

“I asked him what he was doing, and he jumped out. His pants were hanging down,” said Jones. “(He) pulled his pants up. I took off running behind him. I twisted my ankle trying to catch him and he shot through the field.”

Area resident Mike Newnum says he chased the elusive suspect two weeks ago after he flashed Newnum’s 15-year-old daughter outside of their home.

“It makes me really mad because that’s a very serious crime. It could lead to something very, very bad,” said Newnum. “He stopped behind the tree for a minute and he poked around the tree, and that’s when my daughter came and got me.”

Parents say that the man is Hispanic and appears to be in his mid-30′s, with short, matted hair and goatee. Jones and his wife are now passing out flyers in the neighborhood with the suspect’s description, while administrators at James Elementary sent home letters about the situation to parents.

Police say that they have increased patrols in the neighborhood, looking out for the flasher.