A man was accused of indecently exposing himself at a Publix grocery store in Catawba County, with multiple incidents reported to authorities. Matthew Elijah Newell, 23, has been charged with three counts of misdemeanor indecent exposure and two counts of felony flee to elude arrest, the Catawba County Sheriff announced. The incidents occurred at the store located along Slanting Bridge Road in Sherrills Ford, as WBTV reported.
The Sheriff's office is now urging the public to potentially help identify additional victims. There is a belief that more incidents have not yet come to light, suggesting a wider impact on the community than initially known. "We are committed to protecting our community and ensuring that anyone who may have been affected by these acts feels safe coming forward," Sheriff Don Brown stated in a release obtained by QC News. Newell is currently held on a $35,000 secured bond, with a scheduled court appearance on Friday, as per information from QC News.
Deputies have stated that Newell exposed himself to customers at the store. The Sheriff's Office has also provided contact information for those who have further information or believe they may have been a victim of the reported exposures. The contact number is 828-464-3112, with Sgt. K. Lawrence reachable at [email protected], details that were highlighted by WCNC in their coverage on the incident at WCNC.
In response to this series of events, Sheriff Don Brown has emphasized the commitment of the Sheriff's Office to the security of the community. "We encourage anyone with information to contact our office," he urged, according to a statement detailed by WBTV. Newell's arrest and the ongoing search for more information stand as a reminder of the Sheriff's promise to address and mitigate the disturbances caused to the victims and the broader public.
