Takoma Park police search for suspect accused of committing ‘lewd act’ in children’s section of bookstore

At around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, officers responded to a reported indecent exposure at People’s Book, an independent bookstore in the 7000 block of Westmoreland Ave.

Once there, officers learned that an unknown male committed a “lewd act” in front of minors in the children’s section of the store before fleeing, according to the Takoma Park Police Department.

A representative for People’s Book sent a statement to DC News Now.

Our team is shaken by yesterday’s incident. Bookstores are safe places and we work hard to keep it that way. 

We are working with the Takoma Park Police Department to make sure the perpetrator is found. We are able to do so because of our local control of police, and we demand DC be given that same right after it was illegally stolen today.
Matt Bormet of People’s Book

Investigators obtained surveillance footage of the incident and are working to identify and arrest the suspect. As the investigation continues, police urge anyone with information to contact the department at 301-270-1100 and refer to case #250035648.