Man Accused Of Masturbating In Public: Police

PETALUMA, CA — An unsheltered Petaluma man was arrested on suspicion of masturbating in public Sunday morning, police said.

Around 8:45 a.m. Sunday, multiple community members reported walking past a man masturbating in the public's view on Hopper Street south of Caulfield Lane.

Officers responded and found a man matching the description who was identified as Seth King, a 29-year-old unsheltered Petaluma resident.

It was determined that before police arrived, several vehicles and pedestrians passed King while he masturbated, Petaluma police Sgt. Garrett Glaviano said.

Based on King’s recent behavior, a bail enhancement was sought and granted, the sergeant said.

King was later booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of indecent exposure.

"The Petaluma Police Department is working collaboratively with its service providers and members of the Riverfront community to free the area of Caulfield Lane and Hopper Street of unlawful acts, disorder and debris," Glaviano said. "Incidents such as this are not indicative of the environment we are striving to achieve. We would like to thank the community members who called in to report this incident which ultimately led to the arrest of this individual."