NYPD Detective Masturbated While Peering Into Windows: Police

A New York City Police Department detective was arrested over the weekend and charged with public lewdness after police say he was caught exposing himself and masturbating in yards in Rockville Centre.

Rockville Centre Police arrested Robert Francis, 46, after they say they received a call early Saturday from a home on Sherman Avenue reporting a man standing naked in the yard and masturbating.

Police say that Sherman was responsible for a string of similar incidents over the last month. Police first received a call on Feb. 5 from a home on Lakeview Avenue. They received two calls on Feb. 27 — one from a home on Bronson Road and one from a home on Seaman Avenue. There was also a report from March 24 on Sherman Avenue and then again on March 25 on the same road.

Police say that Francis was allegedly naked in the Rockville Centre yards and peering into windows while masturbating. Three of the women who allegedly saw him were under the age of 18. But police say he wasn't targeting them — the homes he chose seemed to be random.

Francis is charged with four counts of public lewdness, three counts of endangering the welfare of child, three counts of criminal trespassing and one count of trespassing. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due back in court on April 17.

The NYPD confirmed that Francis, who was stationed at the 71st Precinct in Brooklyn, has been suspended without pay.

Police say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who thinks they may have been an alleged victim of Francis is encouraged to call the Rockville Centre Police Department at (516) 766-1500.

Photo: Rockville Centre Police Department