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Police arrest flasher suspect

Sonoma Police arrested a 59-year-old Sonoma resident Monday evening in connection with two widely-publicized incidents during which a man exposed himself to women in two Sonoma grocery stores.

Sonoma Police Sgt. Dave Thompson said police arrested Richard “Rick” Hudson at about 7:45 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, at his Sonoma residence. Hudson was identified as the suspect in a series of grocery-store related indecent-exposure cases that have been reported over the last month. Victims reported the suspect exposed himself to them at the Sonoma Safeway and at the Sonoma Market on Sept. 28 by dropping his shorts in front of them, revealing his genitals. In the Safeway incident the victims included girls under the age of 18. At Sonoma Market, the suspect exposed himself by dropping his shorts while a female employee was putting away the outside flower display. In both cases the incidents were captured on surveillance cameras giving police a good look at the suspect.

Thompson said investigating officers discovered an additional case involving the same suspect that took place at the Sonoma CVS store on Sept. 15. 



Hudson’s arrest came after information was developed from the local Sonoma grocery stores as well as tipster information resulting from a new surveillance photo that was posted in local newspapers and on the Sheriff's website. 



Hudson was booked into the Sonoma County jail on one count of annoying/molesting a person under 18-years-old and three counts of indecent exposure. 
The investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has further information about this case, they can contact the Sonoma Police Department at 996-3602.