Registered Sex Offender, Charged After Exhibiting 'Lewd Behavior' In Store: East Haven Police

EAST HAVEN, CT — A New Haven man has been charged after he was reported to have followed women around Hobby Lobby "while appearing to masturbate underneath his clothing," according to East Haven police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo. "Video evidence provided to officers further supported witness accounts."

On Tuesday, police were called to the chain craft store on Frontage Road after receiving a complaint of a "male engaging in lewd behavior inside the store."

The man in the video, Murgo said, was identified as 34-year-old Dylan Alexander Derosa, who was located at his job at a business in the same plaza. Derosa is a registered sex offender and currently on parole and under supervision, Murgo said.

He was charged with second-degree breach of peace and held on $75,000 bond. In addition to the bond that was set, Derosa is also being held on a parole remand. He's due in court Wednesday.

"It should be noted that we are deeply disturbed by the behavior alleged in this case. Women should never have to fear being followed or subjected to predatory conduct while simply shopping in a store," Murgo said. "No one should ever feel unsafe in our community. We want the public to know that we will not tolerate this type of behavior, and we will pursue offenders like this with every resource available. We also commend both the reporting party and the store employees for promptly bringing this conduct to our attention."