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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man suspected of being responsible for numerous indecent exposure cases over the last several months in the Lakeport and Kelseyville areas has been arrested.
Joseph Harry Barrios, 26, was taken into custody by detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit early Wednesday morning, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks.
Brooks said the detectives’ investigation led them to Barrios as a suspect. After his arrest, Barrios allegedly admitted he was responsible for some of the indecent exposure cases.
Detectives also learned there may be additional unreported incidents, Brooks said.
Lake County News received information about two indecent exposure cases that occurred just last week, both involving women who were jogging, one in Lakeport, one in Kelseyville. Sheriff’s officials were aware of the Lakeport incident, but it wasn’t clear if the Kelseyville case had been reported to authorities.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said Barrios also is believed to be the suspect in two indecent exposure cases that took place over two consecutive days in late April in the Lakeport city limits.
In the first case, the suspect – who was masturbating – ran up behind a woman who was jogging in the area of Second and Tunis Streets during the early morning hours, police reported.
The following morning, a woman who was driving through the city reported being followed by a newer model blue Chevrolet Impala, which pulled up on her left side at the intersection of South Main Street and Lakeport Boulevard.
When she turned her head to look in the direction of a honking horn, the woman reported the driver of the Impala was masturbating while looking directly at her, according to the Lakeport Police report.
“We’re still finalizing those investigations and we’ll be filing those cases with the District Attorney’s Office,” with Barrios as the suspect, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said his detectives had done a lot of work on the cases, which suddenly stopped.
Based on the recent pattern of cases, it appeared the suspect was widening his area of operation.
“You never know where or when it’s going to start up again,” Rasmussen said. “Hopefully it will stop now.”
Indecent exposure cases can transition into sexual assault, which is why police take the cases so seriously, Rasmussen said.
Perpetrators, he added, are considered to be dangerous individuals.
“I’m glad he’s off the street now,” Rasmussen said.
Barrios, whose profession on his booking sheet is listed as ladder builder, was booked at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for indecent exposure, violation of probation and a bench warrant out of Alameda County. Brooks said Barrios is currently in custody and his bail was increased to $60,000.
Brooks said sheriff’s detectives anticipate identifying additional victims as their investigation continues.
Anyone who may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact sex crimes Det. Kellie Joseph at 707-263-2690.
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