Man masturbating in bushes — NJ town gripped by rash of lewdness incidents

EVESHAM — An elusive perv has struck again in this Burlington County township.

Police on Thursday issued an alert after three women spotted a man masturbating in the bushes of Kings Grant Drive and Woodlake Drive about 4:43 p.m.

It’s at least the fifth incident in recent months involving lewd exhibitionists in this township and in neighboring Medford. And there's been more.

Police believe the man on Thursday is the same man who has been responsible for at least eight such incidents dating back to July, when he exposed himself and chased two teenage girls in the Kings Grant area.

Police, meanwhile, are searching for a second suspect who also chased two girls while naked in December.

The man in Thursday's incident was described as white and pale and wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jogging pants. The December suspect was described as "chubby."

Thursday’s report prompted major police response to the neighborhood, including a K-9 tracking team, which was unable to find the creep.

Police believe the man fled through the wooded paths on East Coventry Circle. Residents told police they saw a man matching the description running through the woods near Richard L. Rice Elementary School

That same school was placed on lockdown last month after a resident called police to report seeing a man chase children into the woods. The incident turned out to be a false alarm, but police were taking no chances because the man matched the description of a naked man who had chased two girls down a street on Dec. 30.

Also last month in the same neighborhood, a woman called police after she found a man exposing his genitals on her patio.

In Medford, meanwhile, two women reported flashing incidents in November and December.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.