Hazlet Man Stalked, Exposed Himself To Stranger: Prosecutor

HAZLET, NJ — A local man has been accused of following a stranger around a store, exposing himself and touching her inappropriately, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said.

Perry Mangano, 21, of Hazlet, was charged with criminal sexual contact, lewdness, and stalking, Santiago said.

The incident occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, when the victim, an adult woman, was shopping at the At Home store on Route 35 North in Middletown, prosecutors said.

While the victim was shopping, Santiago said Mangano approached her, exposed himself, and made criminal physical contact. On Dec. 1, Mangano was arrested after Middletown Police were informed that a person matching his description was back inside the store.

“The facts of this case are deeply disturbing, and I commend the members of the Middletown Police Department for their swift and diligent work in locating and apprehending the suspect,” Santiago said.

Mangano's first court appearance was scheduled to take place Monday morning.

Anyone with information on Mangano's activities is being asked to contact Middletown Township Police Department Detective Janine Kennedy at 732-615-2120.