Murrieta man arrested after exposing himself to at least one minor
MURRIETA – An off-duty law enforcement officer located and assisted in arresting a man accused of exposing himself to at least one juvenile female. The man was arrested April 19, after an investigation had begun into the report of an indecent exposure and child annoyance incident that occurred the previous day, according to a police official.
The originally reported incident occurred Monday, April 18, in the area of Washington Avenue and Davenport Way, in Murrieta, Murrieta Police Lieutenant Ron Driscoll wrote in a press release.
Murrieta Police officers began investigating the reported incident at 1:17 p.m., after Murrieta Police emergency communications dispatchers received the initial 911 report. The victim was a 17-year-old Murrieta Valley High School student, according to Driscoll.
The female victim told investigating officers she was walking home from school when she noticed she was being followed by a man in a newer model, silver Ford Focus. The victim told officers the vehicle pulled alongside where she was walking and the driver began talking to her.
As the man was talking, the juvenile noticed that he had exposed himself to her. The man was allegedly performing a sex act on himself, while he was seated inside the car. When the teenager realized what the man was doing he fled the area.
The victim called the police department to report the alleged incident. Officers responded to the area and searched for the vehicle and driver, however they were unable to locate either.
The following day, at 2:58 p.m, Murrieta Police dispatchers received a call from an off-duty law enforcement officer who saw a suspicious male seated in a vehicle. As the officer continued watching, he observed that the man was attempting to talk with several different teenage girls as they walked passed his parked car.
The off-duty officer, whose identity and agency have been withheld at the request of Murrieta Police, contacted the subject in the area of Washington Avenue and Nighthawk Way. The off-duty officer detained the man until Murrieta Police officers arrived.
As Murrieta officers were interviewing with the subject, he became uncooperative and combative and a brief struggle ensued, Driscoll explained. The man, who was found to be intoxicated, was taken into custody without further incident.
Murrieta Police officers arrest David Fruge after he was accused of fondling himself while talking to at least one juvenile female.
Officers identified the subject as David Charles Fruge, a 55, of Murrieta.
The original victim positively identified Fruge as the same subject she had seen the day before.
Based on their investigation, officers arrested Fruge and he was booked at the Southwest Detention Center.
A jail records search revealed Fruge was booked for eight misdemeanors, including suspicion of indecent exposure. child annoyance, driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of an open alcoholic container inside a vehicle and delaying or resist a peace officer.
Fruge was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and he was scheduled for arraignment this morning.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the on duty Murrieta Police watch commander at (951) 696-3615. Callers can refer to incident file number 1604M-4006 and can remain anonymous. Citizens can also provide information anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-CRIME FREE.
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