ABERDEEN, Md. — Police have arrested an Aberdeen man after he allegedly exposed himself and committed a lewd act at the Aberdeen Shopping Plaza on Wednesday morning.
Frederick Harris, 37, was initially taken into custody on the same day but released from custody because of a medical issue.
A woman who learned of the incident and did not wish to be identified, empathized with what the victim must have gone through.
“I would be extremely frightened. It’s disgusting. You know. Being a woman here, especially maybe she was alone, I can only understand the fear that she was feeling.”
Man charged with indecent exposure after incident at Aberdeen Shopping Plaza
But the victim wasn’t frozen with fear.
Police filed an application for charges, and an arrest warrant was issued.
Early the next day, Thursday, Aug. 13, an Aberdeen police officer found Harris hiding in a ditch outside a nearby Holiday Inn and arrested him.
“It’s a very unpredictable moment, but what she did that was very well is she created distance, called police and that enabled us to start an investigation, locate the suspect and place him under arrest,” said Aberdeen Police Capt. C. William Reiber.
Court records show Harris was charged with one count of indecent exposure. He was later released on a $2,500 unsecured personal bond.
If there are other victims out there, police want to hear from them mindful of the toll such crimes can take on them.
“I’m sure she’s going to be a lot more scared being in public by herself,” said the woman who also shops in the center, “Yes, ugh, I would be disgusted. I would be terrified. I hope she gets some type of help and therapy to work through this because that’s frightening.”
