Exposition number 9: Serial flasher returns to Ann Arbor's Furstenberg Nature Area
Things are getting a tad ridiculous in parks near the Huron River in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush reported the senior man flashing his genitals — along with the rest of his body — was seen in all his “glory” for the ninth time Tuesday evening. A runner and a canoeist both reported seeing the naked man between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Furstenberg Nature Area.
Once again, the man was standing in the woods near the Huron River wearing zero clothing. Once again, police went to the area and were unable to find the serial exhibitionist, Bush said.
The serial senior flasher has been seen at least five times in the last month and a half in parks near the Huron River. He’s also believed to be the same man who exposed himself to runners on Fuller Road near Huron High School in 2011. All together, police estimate he’s been spotted approximately nine times.
During 2012, canoeists have mostly spotted him. It’s at least the second time he’s been seen in Furstenberg Park — he reportedly took off his clothes and danced for two female canoeists in late May.
The suspect description remains the same, and hard to miss if you happen to see him.
“The suspect’s description is a heavy-set white male, approximately 50 years old, naked,” Bush said.
She encouraged members of the public who spot the nerveless nudist to call 911 immediately. Officers have a much better chance of bringing the garmentless geriatric into custody if the incident is reported right away.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
glimmertwin
Thu, Sep 6, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
Why does the Detroit FreePress report an arrest has been made, but nothing in the local rag? http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012120905095 Son of researcher William Masters arrested resulting from an undercover sting operation.
CincoDeMayo
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 : 3:42 a.m.
haha - somebody just pointed this out to me. I should've noted that my exposure to so many naked men was due to the apparent popularity of "streaking" and "mooning" amongst college men at the time. Geez... I do often think that there is no way people would laugh off so easily now the kind of exposure prevalent throughout the late seventies and early eighties. But again, this guy maintained communications while masturbating, taunted the teenage girl, and followed these teenagers down the river...that's a bit more than dropping your pants, getting the reaction, and then running off.
CincoDeMayo
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 2:22 a.m.
Tru, Did those naked men ask you if you wanted them to "shoot", or taunt your fiance? This guy, I was surprised to learn, is a little more aggressive than I had previously thought by all that I had read. He even followed these teens down the river. As far as the number of naked men I saw on the streets of Ann Arbor during my middle school years ---- too many.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
This story brings back a memory from my first months visiting Ann Arbor. I was driving from work about 30 miles away to see my fiance every week. One day (pretty sure it was a Wednesday rush hour in March - during a light snow shower), I was driving on Huron when I was suddenly passed by 4 or 5 young men - totally nude - running down the median stripe. I laughed out loud - THIS was "The Ann Arbor Experience" circa 1973. Things have really changed... we've lost our sense of humor. Now days, such a sight brings "call police immediately" instructions in place of laughter and horn-honking. Well, at least our government leadership has improved (ho-ho-ho).
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
When the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, didn't like what people were doing, he had a simple solution. He'd yell, "RELEASE THE KRAKEN!" and the Kraken would emerge from the depths and wreak utter destruction on the offenders. Ann Arbor needs its own Municipal Pet Kraken to handle miscreants like this one. I'd be willing to bet that would increase business at our canoe liveries manyfold (and so would renting anti-flasher paint ball guns to canoeists but our "authorities" ain't ever gonna let that happen). Lets have a poll vote: Municipal Kraken or arming park attendees with paint ball guns? Which enhancement do you prefer? ;-)
ArborTeen
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
A friend, female, 15 years old, and I, male, 16 years old, ran into this man on the Huron River while kayaking on Tuesday. We were out of the kayak, swimming in the water a bit, when we heard a truck pull up into a parking lot, and a few minutes later we saw this man (naked, I guessed mid-50s, wearing a hat with a full brim.) He was naked, masturbating, and asked "Wanna see me shoot?" We both declined, much to his dismay. Both my friend and I did not feel threatened, or worried, so we continued on our way, especially because we saw him running back to what we thought was his truck. We did have a camera, and two phones, but they were both in a waterproof bag, we had just been swimming in the water so we were very wet, and we thought he was leaving, so we didn't think he'd bother anyone who WOULD be offended. We continued kayaking, perhaps about a half mile, although I am not very good at estimating distance, and don't know the river well, when he showed up again. He continued saying things like "bet you wouldn't drop your pants for him", to my friend. We laughed it off, told him to have a good day, and continued on our way, as he ran back into the foliage again. At this point, we heard a runner say "Did you guys get a nice view?" We laughed, and said yes, to which she replied "I called the cops, so hopefully they'll catch him."
Constance Colthorp Amrine
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 3:17 p.m.
This story does get a laugh (and countless puns), but exposure is an aggressive (and addictive) behavior that is not only awkward and disarming, but it can put someone on the Sex Offender Registry. Years ago I had a colleague who, unbeknownst to us for years, had "flashed." You would not have known it. He had a PhD and other higher ed degrees three top-tier universities (each ranked in the top 10 in the nation) and was caught doing this on another campus. After going to jail and spending a lot of money on legal help (and psychiatric), he confided he had been doing this for years, He said for him it was indeed addictive. When one is under the influence of anything that's addictive, they can cross lines and be risky to others.
Hemenway
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
This guy is becoming a celebrity...
fairfield
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
Yesterday evening, I was watching an episode of A Touch of Frost. There was a brief mention (although no investigation at all) of a woman's dog who had bitten a flasher "where it counts". If the police can train dogs to sniff drugs, perhaps they could also train them to bite off flashers' genitals. Let a couple of those dogs loose in the area where the man was seen, et voilà! Problem solved... permanently.
Madeleine Borthwick
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
fairfield, owwwwwww!
Davidian
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:57 a.m.
Part of me thinks it's hilarious, but part of me is concerned. This is what worries me: a man in his 50's is repeatedly showing his penis to women in a public area. We now know that it's not an elderly man innocently prancing in the woods. This guys is nasty - bad enough that these women called the police. Also, the insects and ivy are horrendous this time of year. He's really going out of his way to do this. Seriously: the more I think about it, the more that it doesn't sound like an innocent celebration of the human body at all. It sounds like a nasty pervert showing his junk to women that really don't want to see it. Any way you slice it, there is a man getting off on exposing himself to women. It's not normal and it's getting less and less funny every day.
aturid
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
If this guy's actions didn't rise to the level of a crime, it's only because he was tired.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.
ummm, did you say RISE to the level of a crime? yak-yak-yak
microtini
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Maybe he was just getting ready to jump in after the dog!
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
Could be many different people, then. We should call it "Camp Take Notice of This, Buddy" and area church leaders should get out there and protect the right of heavy-set middle-aged white men to dance in the nude wherever they want.
microtini
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.
LOL!
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
white men already have all the rights...we need someone to stand up for women and minorities.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
for all we know this may have happened a couple dozen times, with the rest of the witnesses being people unwilling to make a metaphorical mountain out of an actual molehill.
Local Girl
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
Make it 10 sightings. My girlfriend and I had a very similar experience approximately five (5) years ago! While canoeing on the Huron River near Delhi Metropark, we heard splashing which proved to be an old white man wearing only a hat proudly displaying himself to us. We left the area as quickly as possible. It was quite disturbing at the time: we were truly frightened. Our main focus was to get out of the area as quickly as possible. I think that this freak has been around for quite some time just like Jerry Sandusky. He is a very disturbed individual and I hope his behaviour does NOT escalate. The police should take this seriously.
Constance Colthorp Amrine
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
You were right to be cautious.
stillatownie
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.
It's the ghost of naked miles past!
halflight
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
Age is a relative thing. When you're thin and clothed, 70 is young. When you're fat and naked, 35 is ancient.
RJA
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
Now he is only approximately 50? I thought I read between 60-80 humm. Where are our K-9's when needed?
Davidian
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:59 a.m.
Yeah - a little different picture when it's not an innocent, elderly man like lore is making him out to be. This dude is your classic pervert that is exposing himself.
Ross
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
The next kayaker or canoer to spot this guy needs to ram their boat into the shore at full speed and confront the dude. You have a big weapon in your hand (paddle), so don't be afraid to menace the guy a little bit. A good paddling might be all he really needs, anyway. At least follow him for a bit. Get on your cell phone and get this problem taken care of already. Seems like everyone just continues on their way and calls the police later - not very helpful.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
hey Ross, maybe a good paddling might be enjoyable to him....yak,yak
Ross
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 10:28 p.m.
On the 2% chance he will be there at that time? Sorry, but I'm pretty busy. Just a bit of poorly thought out advice for everyone _else_ to follow, thank you very much.
justcurious
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Ross, go rent a canoe.
xmo
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:45 p.m.
Sounds like a good Community Television show: "Exposition number 9" Ann Arbor's Own! FYI or Access Ann Arbor please step up!
David Waligora
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
Always an A for alliteration
Alex Nickodemus
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
I think in order to be a "flasher" one must actually be flashing people, not wandering around naked.
seldon
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.
"Out of town banks think a serial flasher is a type of traffic signal."
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
Love it!!
Angry Sasquatch
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
Annarbor.com needs to reference the serial flasher on a new billboard.
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
non ann arborites think the huron flasher is what the traffic light does at huron+main in the wee wee hours of morning.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
Good Idea!
B2Pilot
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
The latest chapter in the 50 shades of Gray series - Seniors gone wild
jns131
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.
Use to be.
Fatkitty
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.
~50 years old is not a senior citizen.
Knuckles
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.
I think Kyle is having as much fun writing these as I am reading them. I run in Gallup several times a week and have, thankfully, never run into this character. Great comments!
UlyssesWrong1
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
If I ever went to the park one day and saw a naked guy, that would really disturb me. Hope it never happens.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:24 p.m.
Com'on dude, the human body has been immortalized for centuries now. lighten up, you'll live longer and enjoy life more;)
arborani
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
Hibernation, doncha know.
Arbuckle
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Unless he's a member of the Polar Bear Club!
arborani
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Have 3 or 4 months' patience - with the first snow, this particular problem may disappear.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
yep arborani, I doubt he wants his "jools" dropping off from frostbite...owwwww
CunningStunt
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
Or just get reaaalllly small
arborani
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
Can't pay dues - gotz no pockets. Or maybe$ in his hat?
arborani
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
"scuse it - that remark belongs elsewhere on the thread.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
All yukking aside, this looney needs to be locked up and/or psychiatricized. I just hope he or she (how would you know?) just likes the attention and stays away from laying his hands on kids or women.
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
"...stays away from laying his hands on kids or women..." Especially if they are not his preference.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
sorry 50 is old, if you are 50 and offended your ego needs a reality check
huh7891
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
Just curious say bunny abbot backwards.... Could have something there.
justcurious
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
Some folks will be lucky if they see 50. Who would name themselves Bunny anyway? Maybe a 12 year old girl.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
As the saying goes...getting old beats the alternative.
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.
Old need not be a negative.... The way I see it, we've stood the "test of time." :)
LauraM
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.
I'm 50 and I can still run a marathon in 4 hours. I don't consider myself old in any way. I don't allow my kids to use the "O" word around me!!
marqueA2
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
50 years is not hardly 'senior' or old.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
where does middle age end and old begin on your time line?
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
This is beginning to seem like the Mountain Lion/Cougar saga. Lots of sitings but no hard evidence. ;)
jns131
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
Hard evidence eh? Interesting. Very interesting.
Ricebrnr
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
Nekkid cougars? where? where?
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.
I can live without seeing the hard evidence of an old man
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
Dance of the old white fairy? Sort of cute in a weird way.
seldon
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
Was he holding a sign saying "YOLO"?
Arbuckle
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.
I think it is a little strange that even after happening 9 or more times, nobody has decided to take pictures (of his face) with their cell phone camera or stay in the area/follow the guy until police arrive. Seems to me like this wil keep happening until someone steps up. Oh well, it makes for very entertaining news.
justcurious
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
Arbuckle, all you'd have to do is point at him and laugh.
Arbuckle
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
I don't want to take pictures of a naked man, but I also don't want to be flashed so I suppose I would take a picture if I thought it would help capture a criminal. I'd just aim for the face :D
StopCrying
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
haha, do you want to take nekkid pictures of an overweight 50 year old man?
Ricebrnr
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2 p.m.
can't believe nature lover haven't started carrying bare spray yet...
smokeblwr
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
Pics or it didn't happen.
ArborTeen
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
I had a camera and he did appear to us. However, after asking me (male, 16 years old), and my friend (female, 15 years old) "wanna see me shoot?", we declined, and he ran back towards a parking lot where a truck had recently arrived. We figured he was running off. About a half mile down the river, we saw him again, but he disappeared into the foliage as a runner told us she had called the police. I didn't have time to get the camera out of the waterproof bag we had in the kayak before he disappeared.
f4phantomII
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
Sick and wrong!
jns131
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.
Well, we plan to canoe the Huron this weekend. Maybe I'll bring my camera. Sounds like the flora is doing very well this year.
StopCrying
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
This guy is epic
Will Warner
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
Wouldn't it be Exposure number 9? Or Exhibition number 9? I guess it could be Love Potion number 9.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.
Will, maybe, in the spirit of the song, that's why he was "a flop with chicks".......yuk, yuk
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
It would be "exhibition" only if the evidence stands up in court.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
"the man was standing in the woods near the Huron River wearing zero clothing. " Not even a hat? If he has dumped the hat he has clearly escalated the stakes.
ArborTeen
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
I saw him on Tuesday, he seemed to have a couple fat rolls, was naked, but he WAS wearing a hat. He followed us about a half mile down the river on foot, after we thought he had left in, what I believe was the truck he pulled up in. He showed up, asked "wanna see me shoot?" When we declined, he started to head back near a truck that had recently pulled up before he came out of the bushes. We figured he'd left, so pulling my camera out of a waterproof bag, or my phone to call the cops, would have been a little late. We continued kayaking down the river and he showed up again about a half mile later. At this point, a runner informed us she had called the police, so we saw no reason to do so ourselves.
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.
I know people who saw him this last time. They said he had at least three rolls if fat. He was masturbating. And asked them if they wanted to see him "shoot". He really does have some balls.
Hemenway
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
New meaning to the song, "You can leave your hat on", by Joe Cocker
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
So....Officer ummm, Bush is investigating this? Just sayin'.
actionjackson
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11 a.m.
Madeleine: Sounds like he has been this way since 56!
actionjackson
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 10:58 a.m.
A2 Citizen. He obviously lives on Hiscock.
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
My guess gets me deleted.
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
Probably "Easy" Street.
a2citizen
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
Wonder what street the guy lives on...
arborani
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.
OMG
Brad
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
So when they catch him will they have the various witnesses come to a "line up"? That should be interesting ...
huh7891
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 11:20 p.m.
number 8...can we have a profile shot please.
jns131
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
No saluting please
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
#4 please step forward and dance the wiggle jiggle
justcurious
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
Kyle, your writing in this piece is priceless. Thanks for bringing some laughter into my day this morning. ..."nerveless nudist", "garmentless geriatric"!!! But 50 isn't really geriatric is it? If so, I'm in my grave and don't know it.
ArborTeen
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
I saw the flasher on Tuesday (the incident this article refers to) while kayaking with a friend from Argo -> Gallup. I am 16 and she is 15. While he did appear to be in his mid-50s, he looked like an /old/ mid-50s. Not well kept.
LatersBaby
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
@a2miguy...are you seriously bashing him for calling the guy old? I sense some insecurity...give the kid a break, he is a writer...if you don't like what he writes, don't read it!
a2miguy
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
yeah, Kyle, I suppose a 19-year-old would think that.
jns131
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
I guess if he thinks he has enough to flaunt? So be it. Otherwise, he is going to have to that in jail. I do know of a nudist beach in Wisconsin. Send him there?
arborani
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
Can't pay dues - gotz no pockets. Or maybe carries $ in his hat?
Arbuckle
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
The fact that the estimated ages have ranged from 50 to 80 make me think the AAPD is dealing with some unreliable wintesses....or there are multiple flashers involved. Maybe there's a club??
Barb
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
Maybe mentioning the previous age descriptions in this article might help it look more consistent.
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
The description of this suspect has ranged from 50 to about 80 years old throughout different incidents. Keeping that in mind, I think it's a fair term.
Brad
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
And 65+ is the generally-accepted definition of "senior".
Rabid Wolverine
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
40 is technically over the hill...
Barb
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
Yeah, I'm a little offended that this "old guy" appears to be only 50.