Within 36 hours of beginning their investigation, Barrie police have charged the man suspected of committing indecent acts in an east-end backyard earlier this week.
Barrie police say the arrest was a “collaborative undertaking” with the community.
On Wednesday, city police began investigating a pair of overnight occurrences where an unknown male attended a Cook Street residence and, on two occasions, was allegedly seen performing an indecent act.
On Friday morning, police announced they had arrested and charged a 51-year-old man, of no fixed address, late Thursday afternoon in northeast Barrie, not far from Cook Street.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said it was a chance meeting mixed with hard work that led to the arrest.
“Officers and investigators canvassed the area in search of the individual and it so happened that while doing so, an officer walked into an establishment and the suspect was walking right past him,” Leon said this morning. “He was recognized from area surveillance we were able to obtain.”
The man was transported to Barrie Police Headquarters where he was charged with two counts of committing an indecent act, two counts of voyeurism, and trespass by night.
The suspect, whose name has not been released pending a bail hearing, was held in custody and was scheduled to appear today by video in Barrie court.
Leon did say the suspect is not from the area.
Police are crediting community involvement as a key factor in the arrest.
“This was a collaborative undertaking, with many people working together to help get this man off the streets," Leon said. "No one should have to be afraid that someone is on their property performing indecent acts and hopefully people will sleep better."
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
