Police: Man Seen Masturbating Near Playground

Police have charged a 56-year-old Arlington man with indecent exposure.

At about 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jose Sanchez was seen masturbating behind a shopping center in the 4800 block of Columbia Pike, according to police.

Sanchez was behind some trash bins in the back of a shopping plaza with direct view of a playground — and the children playing on it, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck told Patch.

The playground is near a residential community that can see the back of the shopping plaza, he said. Residents there noticed the man.

Sternbeck wasn't sure how many children were playing at the site or if any of them saw Sanchez.

Sternbeck was unsure if Sanchez had a criminal history.

Detectives will be reviewing previous cases to see if Sanchez could be tied to them, he said.