Man accused of exposing himself near children at Walpole playground

WALPOLE, Mass. — A 24-year-old is facing charges for allegedly exposing himself near children in Walpole on Monday.

Police were first called to the playground at Bird Park around 9:00 Monday morning after several people reported a man had been exposing himself.

A man in the area noticed the suspect and began to chase him after the latter ran away from the playground, according to police. The suspect managed to outrun the other man.

Shortly after the incident, a Walpole police officer stopped the suspect in his car. The suspect, who police identify as Matthew Springer, of Walpole, began to struggle with officers before being subdued and arrested.

“Very disturbing,” said one Walpole resident in the park.

Another added, “It’s unbelievable. This park is not like that at all. There’s like no danger here at all.”

Paul Resten said he saw the police response Monday morning.

He explained, “I saw the police up in the parking lot. So, I didn’t know what happened. I looked and didn’t see anything online about it. It’s very dissapointing. This is a wonderful place, a wonderful park.”

Parents like Matthew Connery watched their children closely at the same playground Monday night.

“Definitely on guard now,” he told Boston 25. “Definitely not something you expect. Things like this happen. You’d like to get as much information out to the public as you can so people can do what they can to keep themselves safe.”

Springer is facing charges of open and gross lewdness, disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer.

He is expected to be arraigned in Wrentham District Court.

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