Woman helps police track down man who allegedly exposed himself on Charlotte greenway

CHARLOTTE — A woman told Channel 9 that on New Year’s Day, a man exposed himself to her on an east Charlotte greenway.

“I feel like if I had not thought to take the pictures immediately, that CMPD may not have been able to identify him with just my description alone,” Heather Bigham said.

She was walking her dogs in a somewhat secluded part of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway near the trailhead at Belmont Avenue.

“I just think this person is disgusting and hope he gets arrested,” she told Channel 9.

Bigham believes the suspect initially drove by and then slowed down.

“He spotted me walking,” she said. “He then parked his car across the street, got out of his car, followed me down the greenway with my dogs.”

Bigham said it wasn’t until she snapped the photos that she confronted him.

“He pulled down his jacket to kind of make it seem like he wasn’t doing what I saw him doing,” Bigham said. “As soon as I said, ‘I’m calling the police,’ and had my phone out taking pictures of him, it kind of clicked for him and he turned around and ran.”

Bigham said she sent CMPD the photos and it appears that helped them identify a 26-year-old suspect.

Channel 9 obtained a criminal summons for him for the offense of indecent exposure.

“It’s just important. I know everyone talks about safety on the greenway and maybe not walking alone or walking in groups, but the greenways are pretty populated,” she said. “There are tons of people that walk alone, and we shouldn’t feel like we have to walk with a partner.”

CMPD’s Sex Assault Unit is investigating.

Channel 9 is not yet naming that suspect.

There are some discrepancies with his name on the court documents we obtained.

We reached out to CMPD for some clarity.

Right now, all that CMPD is saying is that this is an active investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: Community on alert after assault on midtown Charlotte greenway

Community on alert after assault on midtown Charlotte greenway - clipped version

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