Man followed woman around N.J. store, exposed himself and touched her, officials say

A man accused of following a stranger around a Middletown store last month, exposing himself, and touching her inappropriately was recently arrested, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday.
The 21-year-old Hazlet man was charged with three fourth-degree crimes; criminal sexual contact, lewdness and stalking, the office said.
The incident allegedly happened on Nov. 22 at the At Home store on State Route 35 North, authorities said.
A woman told police that she was shopping around 7:30 p.m. when she was approached by the man who exposed himself and made physical contact with her, investigators said.
On Dec. 1, around 6:30 p.m., officers were told a man matching the same description was back inside the store and they went to the business and arrested him, officials said.
“The facts of this case are deeply disturbing, and I commend the members of the Middletown Police Department for their swift and diligent work in locating and apprehending the suspect,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said in a statement
The man was still in custody pending his first court appearance, which was scheduled to take place on Dec. 9, the office said.
Anyone with additional information about the man’s alleged activities is urged to contact Middletown Township Police Department Detective Janine Kennedy at 732-615-2120.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at [email protected].