COLUMBUS – A Dublin man is facing five counts of public indecency after allegedly exposing himself on several occasions over the past two months, including one time in the Center of Science and Industry and another where he exposed himself in front of a child at a Northwest Side bookstore.
John Hammel, 51, whose address was given as Jerome Road in Dublin, was arrested without incident on Tuesday, according to detectives with the Columbus Police Sexual Assault Unit.
Investigators say Hammel is accused of exposing himself at COSI on June 7 and, two days later, at Half Price Books on Bethel Road, when employees called to report a man who exposed his genitals to a five-year-old girl who told detectives she was in the children’s area, looking at books and stuffed animals, when the suspect began talking with her and eventually exposed himself, police said.
The girl told her father what happened but, before he could confront the suspect, the man left the store, investigators said. The initial investigation indicated the suspect did not touch the victim, according to police.
On August 4, officers at were told than a man was exposing and fondling himself at Petland on Bethel Road and the description matched of the suspect from the Half Price Books incident, police said. The suspect was seen leaving the store and was stopped by officers and identified.
Witnesses from the incidents at COSI, two incidents at Half Price Books and the incident at Petland all positively identified Hammel as the suspect, investigators said.
Arrest warrants for five counts of public indecency were filed on Tuesday and Hammel was arrested without incident, police said.
This investigation continues.