WITH PHANTOM HUGGER STILL AT LARGE, DO NOT WEAR THIS T-SHIRT IN BETHESDA! (PHOTO)

Obviously, there is nothing at all humorous about the Phantom Hugger for the victims of those recent Bethesda assaults.

But with all of the media hype about the Bethesda Hugger recently, I had to pass along a photo of this T-shirt and hat ensemble, spotted on the Boardwalk in Ocean City:

"What Not to Wear" in Bethesda:  "FREE HUGS" t-shirt and cap

BETHESDA PHANTOM HUGGER MAY HAVE ATTACKED ANOTHER WOMAN IN GEORGETOWN

VICTIM DESCRIBES SIMILAR

METHODS, PHYSICAL

APPEARANCE OF PERP

IN EARLY SUNDAY A.M.

ASSAULT

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

It's hard to believe no one else noticed, but a widely-reported sexual assault in Georgetown this past Sunday could well have been the latest attack by the Phantom Hugger of Bethesda.

Sunday morning at 4 A.M., a woman was attempting to enter a residence in the 3200 block of Cherry Hill Lane N.W. in Georgetown.  A man snuck up behind her, and hugged and groped her from behind.  Sound familiar?

The victim screamed and the man fled.  Exactly the response of the Phantom Hugger in his 3 summer assaults in Bethesda.

Then get a load of the description of the assailant given by the victim:  White or Hispanic male, 5'9"-6', dark hair, thin, t-shirt and shorts.

The Bethesda Hugger was described as "White or Asian," which - if you know anything about Latin America - it is entirely possible for someone to be Latino and have Asian features.  Or for such a vague description of any kind to be given in the dark, and in a panic situation.  This "white or _______" description suggests none of the victims knew the exact background of the assailant.  So you add that to your list.

Then, take the height.  5'9"-6' is definitely within the range of the Bethesda Hugger, said to be up to 5'10" by his victims.  Check number two.

Dark hair?  Check.  Thin?  Check.

Finally, how about that wardrobe?  T-shirt and shorts for both the Bethesda and Georgetown assailants.

It's elementary, my dear Watson.

Certainly, there is a possibility that the Bethesda Phantom Hugger has struck again.  Perhaps feeling the heat of recent police scrutiny, he went to another jurisdiction.  It would be a good idea for the MPD and MCPD to compare notes, and perhaps something one department knows could help them close this case together.

TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING THE BETHESDA PHANTOM HUGGER'S NEXT VICTIM

Montgomery County Police have released the following list of tips for residents, after 3 women were attacked by a Phantom Hugger in Bethesda this summer.  Some of the hints are a bit anachronistic for the year 2012, but are standard and solid safety advice, to avoid an unwanted hug from this fellow:

1.  Do not walk/jog with earphones.  Don't be distracted by electronic devices to the extent that you are unaware of your surroundings.

2.  Carry a cellphone.  (I know very few people do, but...)

3.  Vary your walking/jogging route.

4.  Complete exercise/errands during daylight hours.  (Translation:  OMG!!  DON'T GO OUTSIDE AT NIGHT!!  Well, okay, I do think it's very good advice to jog or run during daylight hours, particularly if you are using a secluded trail).

I might add that, in downtown Bethesda - if you are new to the area - the safest places late at night are around Bethesda Row, and along St. Elmo and Norfolk Avenues near Union Jack's, Rock Bottom, Hanaro and BlackFinn.  Not only are these areas populated and pretty well lit, but county police are out in force there at night.

Since the Phantom Hugger's m.o. is to sneak up from behind, your best defense is to remain aware of your surroundings at all times.