Palatine man exposed self to same woman three times, police say

Palatine police arrested a 39-year-old Palatine man Monday on allegations he exposed himself to the same gas station employee three times in three days.

Eric J. Sanders, of the 200 block of W. Johnson St., went to the gas station in the 800 block of West Palatine Road twice Saturday morning and once Monday morning, each time exposing his genitals to the same female worker, Palatine police Cmdr. Michael Seebacher said.

After the third time, the woman was able to get Sanders' license plate number and passed the information to police. An officer located and stopped Sanders in his vehicle minutes later, according to police. Sanders was subsequently identified by the victim, Seebacher said.

Sanders is charged with three counts of public indecency. He spent Monday night in the jail at the Palatine police station and went to court Tuesday morning, when bail was set at $20,000.

Seebacher said Sanders has been charged with similar crimes previously. He was arrested in April on charges he exposed himself at the apartment complex where he lives on two occasions, first in October 2013 and again in March.

Seebacher said there was a different victim in each instance, and there doesn't appear to be any past relationship between the Sanders and the victims.

Sanders was sentenced to 40 hours of community service for the exposure charges at his apartment building. He had served those hours prior to Monday's arrest, Seebacher said.

Sanders' next court appearance is set for Oct. 20.