Melbourne Police Arrest Man Suspected of Lewd Acts

By  //  January 23, 2014

caught in the act by Melbourne Police detectives

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Michael Anson Benjamin, suspected of committing multiple lewd acts over the course of a year, was caught in the act last night by Melbourne Police detectives.

Michael Anson Benjamin, suspected of committing multiple lewd acts over the course of a year, was caught in the act last night by Melbourne Police detectives. (MPD image)
Michael Anson Benjamin, suspected of committing multiple lewd acts over the course of a year, was caught in the act last night by Melbourne Police detectives. (MPD image)

According to the Melbourne Police Department, beginning in January 2013, they started to receive complaints of a man who was exposing his sexual organs and masturbating in public parking lots.

The suspect would openly commit these lewd acts in the presence of his victims. So far, the Melbourne Police department is aware of 11 female victims, ranging in ages of 17 to 52.

Through their investigation, Melbourne Police detectives were able to identify Benjamin, 33, as a prime suspect.

Since the act of exposing oneself in a lewd and lascivious manner is a misdemeanor crime, investigators had to catch the suspect in the act. That is when detectives began to place surveillance on Benjamin.

Last night around 8 p.m., detectives followed Benjamin to the Dillard’s parking lot at the Melbourne Square Mall, a location where women had been victimized in the past. At 8:45 p.m., detectives observed Benjamin exit his 2006 Ford Mustang and expose himself in a lewd and lascivious manner as mall customers were walking through the area. Detectives immediately approached and took Benjamin into custody.
Last night around 8 p.m., detectives followed Benjamin to the Dillard’s parking lot at the Melbourne Square Mall, a location where women had been victimized in the past. At 8:45 p.m., detectives observed Benjamin exit his 2006 Ford Mustang and expose himself in a lewd and lascivious manner as mall customers were walking through the area. Detectives immediately approached and took Benjamin into custody.

Last night around 8 p.m., detectives followed Benjamin to the Dillard’s parking lot at the Melbourne Square Mall, a location where women had been victimized in the past.

At 8:45 p.m., detectives observed Benjamin exit his 2006 Ford Mustang and expose himself in a lewd and lascivious manner as mall customers were walking through the area. Detectives immediately approached and took Benjamin into custody.

Anyone that feels they may have been victimized is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency. For those that believe they may have been victimized by Benjamin in the City of Melbourne can contact the Melbourne Police Criminal Investigations Division at 321-409-2200.

According to the Melbourne Police Department, Benjamin is suspected of committing similar acts over the last year in the Melbourne Square Mall parking lot as well as the Walmart grocery lot on South Babcock Street and the Nasa Plaza lot near Nasa Boulevard.

He was arrested and charged with one count of exposure of sexual organs in a lewd and lascivious manner. Additional charges for past acts are forthcoming.

Melbourne Police investigators believe there may be additional victims in the area that have not reported their incidents to law enforcement.

Anyone that feels they may have been victimized is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency. For those that believe they may have been victimized by Benjamin in the City of Melbourne can contact the Melbourne Police Criminal Investigations Division at 321-409-2200.