Man Accused Of Performing Lewd Acts In Front Of Kids In N.J. Restrooms Multiple Times
FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A Howell, New Jersey man has been hit with dozens of charges of exposing himself and performing lewd acts to minors.
The new charges came two weeks after Gregory S. Rittman, 49, was charged with masturbating in front of an 8-year-old child near the sink in a men's restroom at a McDonald's on Route 35 in Wall Township, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office.
He was arrested on that charge after an employee called police on Friday, Oct. 24, prosecutors said.
In that incident, Rittman was charged with one count each of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree lewdness, as well as a disorderly persons count of harassment, police said.
He was released on $73,000 bail at the time, police said.
But this past Friday, Rittman was arrested again, and was hit with 12 more charges after an investigation by Wall Township police and the Prosecutor's office. The investigation began after three more victims were identified following a news release showing Rittman's picture and asking any additional alleged victims to come forward, police said.
Prosecutors said additional people described more incidents involving children ranging from 6 to 8, all of whom saw Rittman performing lewd acts in public restrooms, police said.
Prosecutors were still seeking possible additional victims on Monday.
"It is important for parents and guardians of small children to take a look at the picture of this defendant," Wall Township police Chief Robert L. Brice said in the release. "We believe there are additional victims out there and we urge everyone to come forward with any information about this case."
Prosecutors now believe Rittman has been performing lewd acts in front of children from about two years in Monmouth and Ocean counties, and he has been ordered held on $609,000 bail by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Linda G. Jones, the release said.
If convicted of sexual assault, Rittman faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Anyone with information on the case was asked to call Wall Township Patrolman James Cadigan at (732) 449-4500, ext. 1162, or Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Bureau Detective Carolina Moreno, at (732) 431-7160.
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