ST. GEORGE — A man suspected of showing his genitals to two children at a park in St. George was arrested Saturday, thanks in part to alert bystanders.
The incident came to light following a call to emergency dispatch shortly before 3 p.m., when an individual reported that the man had exposed himself to the children at Thunder Junction All Abilities Park in Tonaquint Park.
According to the probable cause statement filed in support of the arrest, two girls were playing in the music area, which the caller described as a secluded area located near the park entrance. While the girls played, they reportedly noticed a man with his pants down.
Officers spoke to the children, who said the man was “playing” with his “privates.” The suspect allegedly asked one of the girls if they wanted to “touch it,” and when the child said no, he reportedly told the girl “hurry, c’mon” before leaving the area.
Meanwhile, officers were informed by dispatch that a man matching the description of the suspect was spotted near the tennis courts by a family recreating there. According to witnesses, the suspect appeared to be middle-aged with his pants undone and was yelling obscenities.
As officers made their way to the area, two men followed the suspect and relayed information about his whereabouts. When investigators arrived, they found the suspect, 37-year-old Thomas Dylan Gardner, of St. George.
According to the report, Gardner told police he was “just killing some time at the park.”
The suspect admitted to being in the Thunder Junction area of the park, saying he was there for about 10 minutes to use the restroom, which he believed was the only one in the park.
Gardner allegedly said he wanted to get his shirt off when he left, adding that he believed he walked through the music area as he was leaving.
When officers explained they were investigating a call reporting a man exposing himself to two girls, Gardner denied the allegations, stating he looks like everyone else and adding that police “have the wrong guy.”
Gardner was arrested and transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane where he was booked into jail on two class A misdemeanor counts of lewdness involving a child. Jail records indicate the suspect was released from custody the following day.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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