Avondale, Pa., man arrested on multiple indecent exposure incidents

3:49 p.m., April 22, 2013--Newark Police and University of Delaware Police have arrested Jason W. Grubbs, 39, of Avondale, Pa., for multiple incidents of indecent exposure, some of them on the UD campus, dating back to June 2011.

On Saturday, April 20, two women called the Newark Police around 10:45 p.m. to report a naked man exposing himself to them on Beverly Road, near Sunset Road. They were walking on Beverly Road when they saw a man with a shirt and no pants walking on the opposite side of the road and slapping his buttocks. The man fled between two homes.

Newark Police and University Police responded immediately to the scene and surrounded the area. An NPD and a UDPD officer observed a man matching the description provided by the victims. Now clothed, he was emerging from trees at the corner of Beverly Road and Manns Avenue. Seeing the officers, he fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by them when he tried to climb a fence. 

Investigators from NPD and UDPD have linked the suspect to at least 16 similar incidents dating back to 2011, including seven incidents near Townsend and Worrilow halls on the UD campus. 

Grubbs was arrested on 18 criminal charges stemming from nine incidents in Newark Police jurisdiction, arraigned at JP Court #11 and released on $1,800 unsecured bond. He was then turned over to UD Police, where he was arrested and arraigned on 16 additional charges stemming from seven incidents on the UD campus. He was arraigned at JP Court #11 and released after posting $1,600 secured bond.

The Newark Police charges include 13 counts of second degree indecent exposure, one count of lewdness, one count of criminal mischief under $1,000, one count of resisting arrest, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The UD Police charges include nine counts of second degree indecent exposure, one count of lewdness and six counts of third degree criminal trespass.

The investigation is continuing as police are attempting to ascertain if Grubbs is connected to additional incidents.

Anyone with additional information should contact Detective Jay Protz of UD Police at  302-831-4136 or jprotz@udel.edu or Detective James Skinner of Newark Police at 302-366-7110, ext. 135 or james.skinner@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous tips can be texted to 302NPD with the message to TIP411 or www.tipsubmit.com, where a reward may be available.

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