Man Publicly Masturbated and Ran Away Twice in One Night, Police Say

Fanwood Police are investigating two incidents of lewdness where a man exposed himself to two women, began masturbating and then ran away, according to Chief Richard Trigo. 

Trigo said two incidents occurred in close proximity on the night of Oct. 2. The first incident happened outside of Mara's Cafe on Martine and South avenues where two women were having coffee and a white male in his 20s approached, exposed himself, began masturbating and then ran away, the chief said.

Trigo said about 10 minutes later, the man approached another woman as she was walking on LaGrande Avenue near Helen Street and did the same thing. 

Police searched for the man who fled on LaGrande Avenue, but didn't find him. 

Trigo said the department now has a person of interest in the case and is working with nearby municipalities where similar incidents were reported. 

The man is described as approximately 5-foot-10, average build, wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray or dark colored sweat pants. Anyone with information can call Detective Sgt. Eugene Chin at 908-322-5000 ext. 119 or Cpl. Michael Schilling at 908-322-5000 ext. 117.