Brea Police released surveillance video Thursday of the suspect exposing himself to a store worker in the Brea Mall. Police identified the suspect as Patrick Dodenhoff, 45.
Brea Police located Dodenhoff in San Diego Thursday night. Officers conducted a felony car stop on the 5 Freeway at Balboa Avenue, and Dodenhoff was taken into custody without incident.
Dodenhoff, a transient and registered sex offender, was released from state prison in December. He was being monitored by GPS after he was released, but police said he removed the device on March 3.
Dodenhoff was transported to Brea, then booked into the Orange County Jail on charges of felony indecent exposure with prior convictions and parole violation. He was held without bail.
Police believe Dodenhoff may have committed similar crimes in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Diego and Torrance.
Surveillance video shows the suspect walking inside a Macy's store at the Brea Mall around 2:30 p.m. Monday for about 30 minutes. Then he suddenly pulls down his pants, fully exposing himself to a woman.
"He made very lewd comments to her about things he wanted her to do to him," said Brea Police Lt. Darrin Devereux.
Police suspect the man has done this repeatedly: a week ago at The Shops at Mission Viejo and inside a store at the Irvine Spectrum on Tuesday.
Irvine Police and the Orange County Sheriff's Department say they're working with Brea detectives to see if they're dealing with the same guy.
Police were concerned the suspect was becoming more brazen.
The Brea Police Department believes there are additional victims and witnesses to these crimes. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.
