Arnold Police recently arrested a man for allegedly exposing himself and rubbing himself on unsuspecting woman while in various stores in the city. Investigators believe there may be more victims of the unwanted sexual advances, police reported.
Detective Lt. Jeremy Christopher said the man is suspected of performing the lewd acts Nov. 17 and 18 at Goodwill, 3616 Richardson Square Way; Hobby Lobby, 30 Arnold Park Mall; and Walmart, 2201 Michigan Ave.
He asks anyone who believes they are a victim of the man exposing himself or making an unwanted sexual advance to call the Arnold Police at 636-296-3204.
Andrew James Walters, 26, of St. Louis was arrested Dec. 2, and as of Dec. 4, he was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, court records show.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Nov. 24 charged Walters with second-degree sexual abuse, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, according to court documents.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Walters was in the Goodwill store between about 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 18. While in the store, he allegedly exposed himself and rubbed himself on a woman who had her back turned to him while she was shopping.
Investigators searched Walters’s phone and allegedly found a recording he made of his actions inside the store. The store’s surveillance video also allegedly showed Walters making the unwanted sexual advance, the reports said.
The woman told investigators she was unaware of the alleged lewd act. However, after she was told about the incident, she requested to pursue charges against Walters, according to the report.
Walters allegedly told investigators he had taken inappropriate recordings and pictures of unsuspecting women throughout the city. He also said he would continue the same behavior even if he was arrested, the report said.
Walters, who is believed to be homeless, also allegedly told investigators he was having homicidal thoughts about hurting random people, according to the report.
Walters has previously been arrested of resisting arrest and was out on bond after being charged in St. Louis County for allegedly assaulting a police officer, the probable-cause statement said.