Written by Bill Bittar.
A Newtown man was arrested and charged with breach of peace and first-degree obscenity Thursday after a woman accused him of putting his hand down his pants while talking to her 19-year-old daughter in Soup Thyme in Monroe.
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.
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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 saw him with his hand down his pants for more than five seconds, according to police.
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Police said one of the employees at Soup Thyme had recognized Kukla as a regular customer, leading to his arrest.
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