NILES, Ohio - A Niles man is behind bars after allegedly touching himself while watching children at a park.

According to the report, officers were dispatched to Stevens Park at 11:11 a.m. on July 20 for a suspicious man who allegedly made inappropriate comments to children at the park numerous times.

The suspect, identified as 62-year-old William Barbato, voluntarily left the park after speaking with police.

Officers spoke with a witness who said Barbato had been coming to the park during soccer practices and yelling things at the girls. The witness said Barbato said things like "five more minutes" and tried to coax the children to the bench he was sitting on.

Police were made aware of an incident from July 12 at 6:42 p.m. where Barbato was allegedly caught touching himself in the park while watching the 11 to 13-year-old girls on the soccer field and later attempted to lure a 12-year-old girl who was attending a birthday party at the park.

Three witnesses gave information about the incident. 

According to police, the witnesses reported seeing Barbato hunched over covering his groin with his hands while muttering things and watching a 12-year-old girl. When confronted, Barbato allegedly asked the witness for five more minutes and zipped up his pants while walking away.

Barbato was told by one of the witnesses to leave the park, but he allegedly stopped near the concession stand. The witness told police he had a second confrontation with Barbato at the concession stand before leaving.

He is facing a charge of public indecency and is held on a $25,000 bond.