Update: Police Arrest Newtown Man for Breach of Peace, Not Obscenity

A Newtown man was arrested and charged with breach of peace and first-degree obscenity Thursday after a woman accused him of inappropriate behavior while talking to her 19-year-old daughter in Soup Thyme. However, on Monday police said they are not going to pursue the obscenity charge.

John Kukla, 25, of 21 Cobblers Mill Road refused to talk to officers without his lawyer present, police said. He was released on a promise to appear in court on June 28.

At 4:48 p.m. on Thursday, the complainant told police that a young man — later identified as Kukla — started staring at her daughter as they entered Soup Thyme, making her uncomfortable. Then after her daughter sat down, the mother said Kukla sat at a table next to hers and tried to engage her in conversation.

The mother claimed she saw him with his hand down his pants for more than five seconds, according to police. That prompted the obscenity charge which was later dropped.

Police said one of the employees at Soup Thyme had recognized Kukla as a regular customer, leading to his arrest.