Parents scare off man touching himself, taking photos of kids at park, MS cops say
Concerned parents stepped in to stop a stranger accused of committing lewd acts near children at a city park, police in Mississippi said.
The man was arrested Tuesday, June 3, after witnesses spotted him “touching himself inappropriately” and possibly taking photos of young children, according to the Magee Police Department.
McClatchy News isn’t naming the man because official charges haven’t been released.
“Magee will not be a playground for anyone with lustful intentions or desires toward minors,” Police Chief Denis J. Borges said in a news release.
Officers said they received multiple calls about the man around 5 p.m. He fled the park in a car after the group of concerned parents confronted him, police said.
Officers stopped a vehicle seen driving recklessly and detained the driver, later identified as the man accused of touching himself, police said. According to officers, the man acknowledged engaging in lewd behavior and taking photos of children but denied touching anyone.
A search of his phone also turned up “several images of minors,” all of whom were clothed, authorities said.
The man was taken to jail, though police didn’t say what he’s been charged with.
Magee is about a 40-mile drive southeast from downtown Jackson.