Nanaimo man arrested twice in 3 days for alleged indecent exposures

Mounties on Vancouver Island say a man has been arrested twice in the past week for allegedly committing multiple instances of indecent exposures.

The West Shre RCMP says on March 24, it received a report that a man was committing an “indecent act” in front of a restaurant on Island Highway in Colwood, near Wale Road.

Police say the man “exposed himself in a sexual manner,” which they claim was seen by multiple people, including children.

“The officers quickly located and arrested the suspect, who was identified as [a] 36-year-old Nanaimo man,” Const. Andrew Matheson said in a statement.

Police say the Nanaimo man was held in custody, and when then subsequently released with several conditions the following day.

Mounties say just three days later on March 27 they received another report of a man — who police believe is the same person from March 24 — in View Royal under the Six Mile Road bridge committing another “indecent act.”

Police claim the incident also took place in front of children.

“Within 2 hours of this report, police located and arrested the male suspect. The male suspect was also now wanted in a warrant in relation to yet another Indecent Act that is alleged to have taken place in Burnaby on November 23, 2023, and for which he had failed to attend court,” Matheson explained.

West Shore Mounties say the 36-year-old has been remanded in custody after facing court Friday. He is now facing charges including three counts of an indecent act, and one count of indecent exposure to a minor.

“Sexual crimes against youths not only affect the victims, but can have lasting effects on the entire community. We are pleased to see this individual off the streets and want to thank the witnesses for their bravery in calling the police right away. Their information was critical in locating and arresting the suspect,” said Matheson.

The suspect is set to appear in court on April 2. The allegations are yet to be proven.