Allen police are warning of parents of a possible predator just after the police department announced a major arrest in a separate case, also involving indecent exposure.
Now, police have increased their patrols. Bicycle officers patrolled throughout the path and park on Thursday, while investigators look into several leads.
“I feel confident he will be found,” said Allen Police Sgt. Jon Felty.
The latest incident was reported on Saturday afternoon, when police say a man “possibly” exposed himself to two young children.
Detectives are currently reviewing the statements of the victims, who are five and nine years old.
On Tuesday, 26-year-old Joel Frederick Warneking was arrested on the suspicion he was the person exposing himself to several adult women along a city running trail over two weeks in October.
Police said those incidents and the one Saturday involving children are unrelated.
“One of the children said, ‘A man had his zipper unzipped at the park,’” said Kristen Crawford, mother of one of the two young victims.
The person suspected in Saturday's incident was described by the victims’ parents as a white male between 50 and 60 years old, balding but with a ring of gray hair.
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The description came from one mother, who said she was within eyesight of her children when the incident happened and tried to chase the man down but was unsuccessful.
“She had a real hard time with it the first time. She's had nightmares the last couple of nights,” said Kim Reysa, the other child's mother. “She says she's never gonna go to the park by herself ever.”
“My daughter said ‘That's the man, that's the man who just pulled down his pants in front of us,’” said Reysa.
Reysa took off after the man while Crawford called 911.
“I ran across the houses here, the man came down, got on his bike. I got a really, quite a good look at him,” Reysa said.
The man was last seen riding a silver bicycle with a grocery-style basket attached to its rear, according to police.
Some parents are worried about Halloween. They don’t want their children out when this man could be in the area.
“We are actually going to go into another neighborhood,” said neighbor Amy Greene.
Police said they have not had any reports of this man in the past, nor have they seen anyone with his description acting suspiciously.
They ask anyone with information to contact them immediately.
People can also send anonymous tips via text message by texting the keyword ALLENPD and the tip to 847411.
NBC 5's Julie Fine contributed to this story.
