Man Caught Pleasuring Self In Costume Shop

NOVEMBER 2--An Oregon man is facing a public indecency charge for allegedly masturbating inside a Halloween store to photos of women on the packaging of “sexy” costumes, according to investigators.

Nigel Smith, 36, was inside the Spirit Halloween Superstore in Portland last week when a worker and a customer spotted him with his genitals exposed, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The female customer told police she saw Smith “whacking off.” Upon learning of the masturbating, a store employee told cops that she contacted Smith, who was perusing “photos of women on the packaging of Halloween costumes.”

When a male employee then confronted Smith, he allegedly shoved the worker and sought to run from the store. The employee told cops that he subsequently tackled Smith, who bit him.

When a Portland cop arrived at the business, Smith was pinned to the ground outside the Halloween store by three men. Officer Matthew Bigoni reported seeing a “very noticeable wet spot on the front of [Smith’s] grey sweat shorts, directly in front of his genitals.” Smith “said it was sweat,” added Bigoni.

Smith was charged with felony public indecency and assault. He is free on his own recognizance and is scheduled for a November 10 court appearance. Smith’s rap sheet includes a 2010 public indecency conviction. (1 pages)