Man arrested for masturbating at Woodward Park, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- "He was not trying to hide himself. He was wide upon in public on the trails of the park," said Sergeant Daniel Macias.

A Fresno man is facing a serious charge after police said he exposed himself at Woodward Park. Authorities said Carlos Flores, 24, committed the indecent act at the north end of the park Wednesday morning.

Police said Flores was in this area of the park when joggers caught him in the act. But now police say he's in the hospital -- getting checked to see if he's fit to be housed at the jail.

Half-naked on a trail, at one of the busiest parks in Fresno. Authorities said that's how joggers found Carlos Flores.

"They had observed the suspect in the grass area laying down. On their return they saw him again-- but, this time, he had his pants down and he was exposing himself," said Sergeant Macias.

Police tracked him down and arrested him at Woodward Park but wouldn't tell investigators what he was doing or why. Melissa Doty said she won't stop running at Woodward Park because of the arrest.

"I've never heard any other stories maybe there is but I've never heard of anything else," said Melissa Doty.

This is the second crime in just a few weeks at Woodward Park -- that's sexual in nature. John Dill, 19, was arrested for grabbing a woman's backside while she was jogging along a trail.

"As far as crime goes we don't have a lot of these incidents happen, it's actually odd that we have these so close together," said Sergeant Macias.

Police said the incidents are unrelated and coincidental. In the last six months, crime in the park has been minimal. According to police, there's only been a few reported car burglaries.

Police said if he's convicted, Carlos Flores would have to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law.