T.O.'s 'flasher' may be getting bolder

Artist's drawing of T.O. suspect

Police released a detailed description of a man long suspected of indecent exposure after an 18-year-old student was attacked as she crossed the footbridge over Olsen Road at 9:20 a.m. Dec. 16.

According to cops, as the woman walked from the main California Lutheran University campus toward the sports complex, a man approached her on the bridge. He suddenly pushed her toward the bridge wall and tried to grab her by the neck.

The victim fought back, punching and kicking the assailant. He fled toward the main campus. The victim went to the sports complex and notified authorities.

Police connected her description of the man with similar descriptions women have been giving authorities of a man who's been indecently exposing himself in front of women for the past two years in the Northwood Park/ Pederson Road area of T.O.

"This may be related to the indecent exposure/lewd act cases in Thousand Oaks," Detective Barbara Payton said.

The assailant is described as Caucasian, tall and slender, between 18 and 30 years old with pale or yellowish skin tone. He wears different types of hats. During this incident, he wore a brown derby, Payton said.

"We believe someone in Thousand Oaks knows who this person is," Payton said.

The police would like to capture him before the crimes escalate, she said.

Since September 2006, female pedestrians or joggers, alone or in pairs, have seen a young man about 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, 130 to 150 pounds with a slender build and black or dark brown hair exposing himself and committing lewd acts. Sometimes he wears a black beanie cap, other times a tan or light yellow fisherman hat. He's worn a heavy sweatshirt with a hood pulled over his hair.

If someone sees him, they're asked to call the sheriff's department at (805) 654-9511. Anyone who knows more about this case can call Detective Greg Tougas at (805) 371-8397.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person responsible for this crime.

The caller may remain anonymous, and the call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at (805) 494-TALK (8255).