A man masturbating in a car near Sheridan Street and 7th Avenue exposed himself to two Longfellow Elementary School students on Monday, the Iowa City Police Department said in a press release late Tuesday afternoon. “The children immediately ran away and were not physically harmed,” according to ICPD.
The suspect was described as a white male in a red and/or rusty car. An investigator has been assigned and would like to speak with any possible witnesses and obtain any surveillance footage from the area.
ICPD asks that anyone with information about the incident or the suspect contact investigators at 319-356-5276. ICPD is increasing patrols in the area.
On Tuesday evening, Longfellow Elementary School Principal Kelli Webb sent an email to the parents of students informing them of the incident and the actions the school is taking in response.
We will review safety precautions with students. We will remind them to walk in groups or pairs rather than alone when walking to and from school and to be alert to what is going on around them. We encourage you to reinforce these messages with your children and ask them to take the same precautions during non-school hours and on weekends.
Iowa City Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information, including from people who wish to remain anonymous, on the incident. Anyone with information can call 319-358-TIPS (8477).
