Police Search For Man Accused Of Exposing Himself To Teen At Northshore Mall

PEABODY (CBS) -- Police are searching for a man they say exposed himself to a 13-year-old girl at the North Shore Mall.

They said the girl was shopping with a friend at the mall's Forever 21 store around 4:15 p.m. Saturday when they noticed a man who seemed, in their words, "creepy."

The girl then noticed the man had pulled his pants down about 12 inches and exposed his private parts.

She then called her mother to pick her up, and her mother reported the incident to police.

Investigators are now combing through security footage to try to identify the man.

The man was described as white, around 30, and about 5'9", with short, scruffy brown hair. He was wearing baggy sweatpants and a dark sweatshirt at the time.

Peabody resident Carol Burnazzani said she would not drop her kids off alone at the mall, but that she's never felt unsafe there.

"I guess it's not surprising to me to hear that it happened, because there's so much going on today, but I do feel safe at that mall, I walk it a couple of times a week," she said.

"I think it's everywhere, I don't think it's just here," said Peabody resident Christine Pimentel. "Unfortunately that's the way the world is."

"We live in a different time now," said Justin Fox from Middleton. "There's a lot of strange people out there you have to be very vigilant."

Peabody Police said they're increasing their presence at the mall, including with plainclothes officers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Peabody Police.