Man Accused Of Sexual Remarks, Fondling Himself In Howell Target

HOWELL, NJ — A Freehold man is accused of making sexual comments to a female employee and fondling himself in the aisles of the Howell Target on Sunday, Howell police said.

But the 26-year-old man claims the incident was a misunderstanding, police said Monday.

The man, whose name has not been released, went to police headquarters on Monday morning and said he was the man pictured in a surveillance photo police circulated on Sunday following the incident.

In the initial report, Howell police said the incident was reported Sunday afternoon. The man was seen walking into Target carrying a baby in a car seat about 3 p.m. He approached the employee and engaged in conversation that police said was interpreted by the employee as being flirtatious.

The man then asked the female employee to show him where the men’s underwear section was, and once there, "the male made a comment about size and motioned towards his groin," police said.

"It was reported he was obviously excited about the conversation," the police report said. He then left the store.

Police said they reviewed surveillance footage and saw the man "walking around the store watching females while fondling himself."

Police confirmed there was a baby in the car seat.

On Sunday police were seeking his identity, and said they are continuing to investigate after man came into headquarters Monday morning.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call at 732-938-4111, message Howell police through Facebook Messenger, or use the department's anonymous tip service www.p3tips.com.

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