Man charged with public indecency in Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights police are warning residents to be aware of their surroundings after charging a man with public indecency on Tuesday morning.

Frank Mendez, 47, of Rolling Meadows, was arrested on Thomas Avenue near Highland Avenue on a misdemeanor count of public indecency, said Arlington Heights Cmdr. Mike Hernandez.

Last Thursday, a woman was walking her dog on the 300 block of Maude Avenue around 7:50 p.m. when Mendez reportedly approached her on a bike, petted the dog and exposed himself. The offender rode away when the woman called to another man in the area for help.

On Tuesday, the woman was walking her dog with her husband when the two noticed a man who looked similar to the man who had approached her and called the police. Police charged Mendez once the woman made a positive identification that he was the same man.

Mendez was released on bond and will next appear in court on Aug. 30.

Hernandez said there was no evidence that he knew the woman who saw him.

“He had no prior background for this type of activity and no indication that he’s done this before,” Hernandez said.

Officers who cover that area of town know about the arrest and are watching to make sure the man does not return to the area, he added.

“Report anything suspicious or unusual to the police so we can check it out,” he said.