The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man believed to be a sexual predator near Beaver Brook Trail, and investigators think he is the person who has been targeting female hikers in Flying J Ranch Park in Conifer.

Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Glenn Braden, 20, of Evergreen after dark on Aug. 8 after they say he exposed himself to two separate, lone female hikers at Stapleton Park near the Beaver Brook Trail, according to a release from the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office.

Braden has been booked into the Jeffco jail in connection with three counts of unlawful sexual contact and five counts of indecent exposure, the release said. His mugshot is not being released pending photo lineups with multiple victims associated with this case.

Deputies were dispatched to 27500 Stapleton Drive near Chief Hosa at 6:15 p.m. after Jeffcom received a 911 call from a female hiker who encountered a man along the trail, the release said. The man, wearing a gray T-shirt and green sweatpants, approached the hiker, exposed himself to her and began masturbating. The victim ran from the man and reported the incident. A couple minutes later, the man confronted another lone female hiker and exposed himself. He also attempted to grab one of the two victims before they fled, according to the release.

Deputies and park rangers saturated the area, and after an intense two-and-a-half-hour search, were able to locate a man hiding in the woods, the release said. A short foot chase ensued, and the man was taken into custody. He was wearing the same clothing as described by both victims.

Sheriff’s deputies have been looking for a man after six incidents in Flying J and one at Alderfer Three Sisters Park. Extra patrols were in the area near Flying J, and signs were erected at trailheads to warn hikers about the potential danger. 

The first report occurred on April 3 in Flying J Ranch, when a naked man approached a female hiker and touched her butt. He fled the area and was not located by law enforcement. 

On June 13, a naked man confronted a female victim and began masturbating at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. In Flying J, he contacted a woman on July 11 and three women on July 18 in which he fondled two victims, masturbated and engaged in sexual conversation. On July 24, the man confronted a female hiker while masturbating, and then grabbed the victim and tried to rip off her clothing.