A Connecticut man was arrested after multiple witnesses alleged they saw him masturbating at Moraine State Park in the vicinity of children.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rangers arrested Brian S. Thoele, 57, of Norwalk, Conn., Thursday and filed charges that include misdemeanors of public nudity and indecent exposure. He was also cited with a summary disorderly conduct violation.

Following his arraignment the same day by District Judge William O'Donnell, Thoele was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

“At 11:40 a.m. a visitor called to complain of a white male masturbating in the vicinity of a large group of youth summer camp students,” said the investigating ranger.

Rangers spoke with the caller, who was identified as a camp director and allegedly told rangers they caught Thoele in the act.

According to rangers, Thoele then fled the scene in a gray 2017 Ford Transit van. Rangers said a unit pulled behind the van, and Thoele pulled over immediately without the ranger turning the lights on.

Rangers said they handcuffed Thoele and took him to the ranger's office for questioning. They said Thoele submitted a statement, but in it he never mentioned masturbation.

Rangers said during their investigation they also found a camp counselor who witnessed the act.

Thoele is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Aug. 25 before O'Donnell's court in Slippery Rock.