Man arrested for masturbating in front of a children’s playground

• Man arrested for masturbating in his car.
• Julián Gallardo is charged with indecent exposure.
• He was parked in front of a children’s playground.

Residents of San Mateo, California, were deeply disturbed after a woman reported observing Julián Gallardo Vásquez engaged in an indecent act near a children’s playground.

The witness to this alarming incident promptly sought the assistance of law enforcement, reporting the suspect who had fled the scene in his vehicle.

The San Mateo Police Department reported that they received the complaint about a man masturbating in his car at 12:18 pm on Tuesday, September 26.

The complaint pertained to alleged public indecency in Harbor View Park.

Police responded to the at a children’s playground

The police noted in a statement released on Facebook, «[A] concerned citizen had observed the suspect, Julian Gallardo Vasquez, seated in his vehicle while engaged in these acts.»

San Mateo officers scoured the city streets, relying on the detailed description provided by the witness.

Approximately an hour later, they located the individual near a school at 1301 Cypress Avenue.

The witness positively identified the man arrested for masturbating, as the one she saw near the playground, and a formal complaint was filed.

It’s not the first time Julián Gallardo has done this

Gallardo, 32, did not resist his arrest and was subsequently taken to the San Mateo Police Department.

During questioning, Gallardo admitted to the incident, attempting to justify it by stating that he had acted on «personal impulses and due to a lack of privacy at his residence.»

Further probing by the officers revealed that this wasn’t Gallardo’s first incident of this nature.

«Further investigation unveiled a previous similar incident associated with Vasquez’s vehicle at the Hillsdale Shopping Center…»

He is now in custody at the San Mateo County Jail

«[T]he suspect had been observed masturbating inside his vehicle and departed before police arrival,» the press release detailed.

Julián Gallardo is now being held at San Mateo County jail, facing several charges, including indecent exposure.

Given Gallardo’s history of similar offenses, the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are urging the public to come forward with any relevant information.

Anyone who has witnessed or been a victim of any inappropriate acts by the suspect is asked to visit the San Mateo Police Department headquarters or call (650) 522-77-00.