Predator on the loose? North Ridgeville police investigate lewd acts

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - Is there a predator on the loose? It's the question being asked after another incident involving a suspicious man comes to light.

This time, police are investigating a report of lewd acts and indecent exposure in North Ridgeville.

North Ridgeville police provided the information via their Facebook page on Wednesday. According to the post, it happened on Sunday at about 3 p.m. in the Marc's parking lot on Center Ridge Road. 

The suspect is described as a white man, with an average build in his 30s or 40s, wearing a black hat, black shirt and dark sun glasses. He is also described to have salt and pepper-colored hair and a goatee.

The man’s vehicle is described as an older model Dodge Caravan, tan, silver or possibly two-tone.

Police said the man was gone when they arrived.

"I would've backed over him and pulled back over him again and said ‘Excuse me I did that,’" said Marc’s customer Dave Janke, who was disgusted by the report. "That's not the place for it.”

Another Marc's customer, Jeff Williams was shocked when he learned of the incident.

"That's not right," said Williams, "we got to track him down, grab him, get him off the street."

What's alarming to North Ridgeville residents is how close the Sunday suspect's description is to a suspect Bay Village reported the very next day. 

On Monday, Bay Village police reported a male suspect trying to lure a 10-year-old girl into his vehicle. 

In this case, the victim described seeing a light blue, metallic Caravan with rear tinted windows. The suspect was described to be white male with gray hair, wearing round, dark rimmed glasses and a red polo-style shirt. The age of the suspect is believed to be in the 50s. 

There was no description of facial hair, and while the vehicles do not match, the possible connection is still a question that's lingering in minds of parents.

"My daughter has a daughter and I have a granddaughter so it is very important that this kind of thing does not happen," said one female customer. 

Bay Village Police Department members said they are working with the North Ridgeville Police Department, but have not yet confirmed whether these two incidents are related.

No license plates were obtained in either incident. Anyone who identifies the vehicles described vehicles are asked not to approach the vehicles themselves, but instead call police.

North Ridgeville Police Department: 440-327-2191

Bay Village Police Department: 440-871-1234