There is a flasher on the loose on the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, Sammamish Police were contacted by a Redmond woman who said that a naked man had chased after her while she was walking on the trail north of Weber Point, at the northern end of the lake.

According to the police report, “an unknown male walking the opposite direction of the RP (reporting person) jumped into the bushes after the RP past him. He then came running out of the bushes naked and chased after RP.”

The woman was able to get away from the man. She immediately called 911.

Police praised the actions of the woman, saying that a timely report of such incidents is the only way they will be able to apprehend the man.

After speaking with Sammamish police, the Redmond woman learned that the man had exposed to himself to a number of other women on the trail, going as far back as last summer, including a couple of incidents in Redmond.

Redmond Police spokesperson Jim Bove said officers from Redmond have been asked to assist Sammamish Police because of the close proximity to Redmond city limits.

“We can’t confirm that it is or isn’t the same person from last year,” Bove said. “However, since this is occurring in the same area, it’s a strong possibility.”

The latest victim “was told the male usually wears the same swimming trunks everyday and the occurrences are usually in the early afternoon. However, one female said she jogs the trail at different hours in the evening and has had encounters in the early evening as well,” according to the police report.

The man is described as a white male in his 40s, about 6 feet tall, with an average build and light brown hair.

He is said to have tan skin, and wrinkles in the corners of his eyes.

He is usually wearing light and dark blue two-toned swimming shorts and scruffy shoes.

The police are concerned that reports the man was now chasing after women indicated he was getting more aggressive.

Sammamish Police Administrative Sergeant Robert Baxter told The Reporter this week he urged anyone who encounters the man to call 911 immediately.

“It’s no good for us, trying to catch him, if we hear about it a few hours or a few days later,” he said. “If we hear that he is bothering people, we want to get down there right away.”

Bove agreed, “The main thing we’d want to remind people is, if possible, to carry their cell phone with them and call 911 immediately.”