Man wanted for breaking into 8-year-old girl's bedroom, exposing himself in Wakefield
The suspect entered the property, broke into the home, and exposed himself to the child before fleeing the area, investigators said.
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Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of breaking into a Wakefield home and exposing himself to an 8-year-old girl while she slept inside her bedroom.
According to the NYPD, the incident happened shortly after 5 a.m. Monday near De Reimer and Bussing avenues. The suspect entered the property, broke into the home, and exposed himself to the child before fleeing the area, investigators said.
Surveillance video released by police shows the man walking through the property moments before the alleged encounter.
The child was not physically injured, but neighbors say the incident has left many in the community shaken.
"I've lived here for 50 years, and I sleep with my window open," one neighbor told News 12. "It's the first time I heard something like that."
Neighbor Karmia Seymour said she has seen the suspect on security camera footage around the neighborhood for months but has never encountered him face-to-face.
"I never physically see him — I just see him on cameras," Seymour said.
Residents told News 12 the suspect first appeared to try entering a second-floor apartment before making his way to a ground-floor window, where police say he gained entry to the home.
"For him to go through that window — that was kind of crazy, you know?" Seymour said.
Now, neighbors say they are concerned for their own families and hope someone recognizes the suspect from the surveillance images.
Police are urging anyone with information to pay close attention to the man's distinctive forearm tattoo, beard and other identifying features.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.
