New Haven Independent

Indecent Driver Caught

by Melissa Bailey | November 27, 2007 5:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

A recent flurry of emails in the East Rock neighborhood alerted the area’s district manager, Sgt. Rebecca Sweeney, to a pattern: Women reported being stopped by a man in a gray car. The man would pull up next to them and ask for directions, said Sweeney. As the car pulled close, the women were shocked to discover the man was publicly masturbating.

After two separate reports of the same type, Sweeney got a plate number — luckily, his car was registered. She tracked the man down at his Newhallville home. She arranged to meet him. The man, in his mid-twenties, complied. He was arrested and released.

After the man’s arrest, Sweeney said a third woman came forward reporting that the same thing had happened to her. Sweeney suspected there may have been more offenses, but women might have been embarrassed to come forward. East Rock women are warned to look out for the suspect’s gray Dodge Charger in case he comes back.

In other East Rock news, officers caught a man walking away from a broken-into car on Livingston near Willow Thursday night. The man, who was arrested, lives on Blatchley Ave. He may have been responsible for a rash of car breakins in the area, Sweeney said.

Three Cars, Six Beers, Half A Chicken

City spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga reports a rash of carjackings:

A man told police he was walking down Dixwell near Bassett at 8:12 p.m. Monday when he felt a hard object in the back of his neck. He was robbed of a six-pack of beer, some vodka and half of a chicken.

A man reported being carjacked by a group of 15 people, two of whom had masks and a gun, at 171 Quinnipiac Ave. Monday night.

Another man told police he was carjacked at knifepoint at 1541 Ella Grasso Blvd. Monday at 11:24 p.m.

And a third man told police he was driving near the Three Judges Motel at 1560 Whalley Ave. at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday when someone approached the car with a gun. According to the victim, the assailant stole both the man’s car and his pants.