Accused flasher was already in jail; he was noticed by a sheriff's detective watching Q13 News

SEATTLE – A man suspected of flashing a woman on First Hill before trying to steal her cell phone was already in jail in Clallam County on unrelated charges by the time police asked for help finding him Wednesday night.

A Clallam County sheriff’s Det. Sgt. spotted the man on Q13 News on Wednesday night and called police in Seattle to let them know he recognized the man, who had been booked into jail there earlier this week.

Detectives in Seattle are working to return the man to King County to face charges.

Police said the 64-year-old victim was walking her dogs in the 1100 block of Boren Avenue at about 1 p.m. on Jan. 27 when she noticed a man standing in an alcove down the block. She said the man had his pants down and was performing a lewd act. She said he made direct eye contact with her and continued performing the act as she passed.

When she called 911, the man ran up to her and tried to snatch the phone from her hand, police said. But her cellphone was on a shoulder strap connected to her torso, so as the man ran away, he ended up dragging the woman about 20 feet before letting go and taking off, police said.