Social Media May Be Sparking New Leads In Child Flasher Case
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The face of a man who exposed himself to a young girl a year ago is now making the rounds on social media.
Miami-Dade Police are now working new, good leads in the lewd and lascivious crime involving an 8-year-old girl.
And Facebook may be breathing new life into the case.
Miami-Dade Police said they want to find the flasher as much today as they did the day he exposed himself to the girl inside the Kendall Dollar Tree store near Southwest 117th Avenue and Sunset Drive a year ago.
"We have kids. We have family members, it comes close to one of us," Detective Daniel Ferrin told CBS4's Natalia Zea.
CLICK HERE To Watch Natalia Zea's Report
The man got away and police have not found him, which makes shoppers in the area – like Mariela Ramos – nervous.
"I think it's very dangerous and they have to find him. And people have to share the picture on maybe Facebook," she said.
Someone shared Ramos' concern, and her idea, and recently posted the man's picture on Facebook. The post has now been shared more than 12,000 times.
Police are happy about that. Detectives in the department's special victims unit have gotten many good leads in recent days.
"It's been approximately a year that this case has been going on and recently we got some good tips that our detectives are following up. You've got to stop and think this be something that possibly helped us out. You never know, social media might be one of those methods that assists us," said Det. Ferrin.
Shoppers that spoke with CBS4 are glad today's technology-focused generations are sharing information that could do some good, and police and folks who bring their kids to this neighborhood are glad the man's face is back in front of you.
The suspect is described as between 40 and 50 years of age, approximately 5 foot 3 inches tall and a thin build.
Police say he is balding, with salt and pepper hair with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing gray gym shorts.
Call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS if you recognize him.
