Joseph Battista told a woman who witnessed his behavior and confronted him that he "forgot to zipper," according to police.
HOWELL -- A 58-year-old Jackson man was arrested last month after he exited his vehicle with his genitals exposed at a convenience store parking lot, police announced Tuesday.
Howell police learned of the Aug. 30 incident after a woman parked at the Wawa on Route 9 south witnessed the man's behavior and reported it to authorities, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez, the police department's spokesman, said in a news release.
The woman, in her 50s, was talking on a cell phone in her vehicle when a man, later identified as Joseph Battista, pulled his white four-door Buick into a parking space across from her around 6:30 p.m., Antunez said.
Battista was alone in the car and stared at the woman, Antunez said. When he exited his Buick, the spokesman said, he had his genitals "clearly exposed."
Angered and offended by what she saw, police said, the woman took a photograph of Battista's vehicle and told him she would report him to police.
Battista dismissed her claims, telling the woman he "forgot to zipper," according to police. He then entered the Wawa.
Howell police Detective Anthony Romano was able to identify Battista and arrest him, Antunez said.
Battista was charged with lewdness and released pending a future court appearance.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.