LI Man Accused Of Exposing Himself At Thruway Service Area

NEWBURGH, NY — A Long Island man was accused of exposing himself at a state Thruway service area. State police said troopers responded around 4:20 p.m. June 8 to the Plattekill Service Area for a report of a man "performing a lewd act at the urinal in the restroom."

A witness provided a vehicle plate number, and a "be on the lookout" — or BOLO — was issued for the car and the man.

Troopers said they observed the vehicle traveling north on I-87 in the Town of Catskill, and the car was stopped for a vehicle and traffic violation.

The driver was identified as Clifford J. Candida, 54, of Massapequa, and he was later identified by a witness as the man in the service area, police said.

Police said that a previous incident which occurred May 14 involved a man who was seen masturbating next to the urinals in the open area of the restroom of the Plattekill Service Area. A photo was taken of the person as he left the restroom prior to the arrival of police. That man was identified by a Thruway employee via the photo as Candida, police said.

He was taken into custody and was processed at the Newburgh barracks where he was charged with two counts of public lewdness, a misdemeanor, and exposure of a person, a violation.

Candida was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Newburgh Court June 25.

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