CHESTERFIELD, Va. -- Customers are still trying to wrap their minds around a disturbing and bold crime in an often heavily traveled shopping center on Brad McNeer Parkway.
Chesterfield police say they are now searching for a man who exposed himself to a woman in the parking lot which sits off of Hull Street.
It is a place Jazlynn Gaston and Casey Smith frequent nearly every day.
"I mean it is shocking. Just makes you wonder what's going on in people’s heads," Smith said.
"Something has to be going on in his head that's not right. He needs some help. It's pretty crazy," Gaston echoed.
Police say it was around 4:30 Monday afternoon when the suspect pulled into the parking lot driving an older model dark gray sedan.
He was standing next to the victim's car when he exposed himself.
Police described him as an African American man between 20 and 30 years old with a tall, thin build.
He was wearing a white shirt and dark pants and fled the area in that dark gray sedan.
Dennis Madison was in that same area Tuesday afternoon.
He says he noticed Chesterfield officers making rounds in the parking lot, checking things out.
"I hope they catch him before anything else happens or before a young kid sees this behavior and thinks it's OK to do it.”
“But the main thing is, they need to catch this character and whatever happens, happens to him" Madison added.
Customers say this crime is enough to remind them never to let their guards down--because criminals can be lurking anywhere and will make a bold move when you least expect it.
"Be alert to what's around you. Take a different route. Have somebody walk with you. We came out of the Starbucks and it was three of us. We walked a girl to her car, not knowing what went on. We just have to watch out for each other," Madison said.
Chesterfield police say they are actively investigating this case. They are following up on some leads generated by information that the victim provided.
If you can help police track down the suspect, you are urged to call Crime Solvers at 748-0660.
