No charges yet in lewd acts case

Authorities have not yet charged a man who was arrested earlier this week for allegedly touching himself in public in Newport Beach.

Police arrested William Degroot, 38, of Mission Viejo, on Tuesday afternoon after witnesses reported seeing him masturbate on the beach near West Oceanfront and Highland Street, said Sgt. Steve Burdette. The beach was crowded at that time, he said.

Officers were called to the area after several people reported seeing the man open his shorts and expose his penis, Burdette said. Police recovered possible DNA evidence on Degroot’s towel, officials said.

Degroot was arrested and later released after posting $500 bail. He has not been charged with a crime by the Orange County district attorney office yet, court records show.

— Joseph Serna