Man allegedly exposes himself to shops’ employees

A man reportedly exposed himself to employees in businesses on Sunday.

Police received a call at 1:53 p.m. in the 900 block of South Coast Highway that a man had gone into a dressing room and came out either naked or partially without clothes. He allegedly made lewd comments to a 16-year-old female employee in one of the stores, Lt. Louise Callus said in an email.

He went in several businesses exhibiting those behaviors, such as Thalia Surf Shop, Stand Up Paddle and Second Reef, police said.

The man said he was an entertainer and needed clothing quickly. He would grab a large amount of clothing and go to a dressing room, where he would leave the door partially or completely open, according to police.

The self-described entertainer then would chat up female employees and try to get them close to the dressing room. Callus said he’d ask the women personal questions such as where they go to school.

The man was described as in his 50s or 60s, white with brown and gray hair. He was wearing a sleeveless gray shirt and blue board shorts that had a sun on them at the time.

Police weren’t able to locate him. Authorities received three reports from businesses.

— Joanna Clay