Police searching for teen who allegedly masturbated next to woman on bench

Police in Somerset County are investigating a report of a lewd incident Tuesday after a woman said a teenage boy started masturbating in front of her, police said Wednesday.

Franklin Township police said a 69-year-old woman was walking along the towpath on the north side of Route 518 Tuesday around 4:15 pm and sat down on a bench next to an unknown teenager.

Police said the woman reported that after five minutes, she noticed he was masturbating. The woman told police he tried to start a conversation with her but that she ran away without any further interaction with the person.

The suspect was described as having dark brown hair, a beard and being approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall. He is described as between 16 and 18-years-old, and was seen wearing a gray t-shirt and brown sandals.

Anyone with information on the suspect or the incident is asked to contact Detective Sammy Hernandez of the Franklin Township Police Department’s investigative division at [email protected] or 732-873-5533 extension 3154.

Anonymous tips can be sent to [email protected] or 732-873-5533 ext. 7277.