Man arrested for indecent exposure near South County Regional Park in Punta Gorda

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. —

South County Regional Park in Punta Gorda became the focus of an investigation last night after a man was spotted near the entrance with his pants reportedly down to his ankles.

Officers arrested Tomaz Gawel for indecent exposure.

Police reported that a driver first spotted Gawel, accused of having with his pants down near the park entrance. The witness said the 28-year-old was accused of touching himself inappropriately in front of other drivers and even children.

"If I would have known that, I probably wouldn't have come over to this park today," said Myllie McMahon, a mom from Punta Gorda.

McMahon expressed her disgust, saying, "There's a bunch of children at the park and sports teams of disgusting for sure."

The park is home to youth soccer, baseball and softball teams. An adult pickleball league also plays at the park in the mornings.

"There's children here all the time," pickleball player Linda Wester said. "I've come for soccer games, for nephews and stuff, and it's really disappointing to hear."

Parents like McMahon expressed gratitude for the police response and the witness who stopped and called 911. "I can't believe that somebody would do something like that," McMahon said. "This is a friendly neighborhood with lots of kids, so that's not acceptable here at all."

Officers checked the area for children when they arrested Gawel, but none were present when they arrived on the scene.

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