Police on Saturday arrested a Bath man they say they was caught masturbating and exposing himself to a pair of teenage girls.

According a statement from Bath police, two girls, ages 13 and 14, were walking along the pathway by Patten Free Library when they  saw Jeremy Collier, 39, of Bath, allegedly masturbating in his vehicle on Front Street. The girls immediately reported what they saw to a parent, police said. Police were notified by a parent at around 4:30 p.m.

Police say that Cpl. Jason Aucoin found the suspect’s vehicle and Aucoin approached the truck on foot. As Aucoin approached, he was able to observe Collier allegedly masturbating while seated in the vehicle, police said. Aucoin radioed to Cpl. Michelle Small and she drove her patrol vehicle up to the scene.  

Police say Collier was the lone occupant in the vehicle, a green Ford F250 registered in his name.

Aucoin arrested Collier at the scene. Collier was booked at the Bath Police Department for the crime of Indecent Conduct.  Collier was released on $2,500 unsecured bail on the condition that he have no contact with children under the age of 16.

Collier is scheduled to appear Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. in West Bath District Court.

Both girls and their parents are cooperating with investigators.

“The girls did exactly what they were supposed to do in this case,” said Bath Police Lt. Robert Savary in a press release. “They reported it immediately to a trusted adult, who in turn immediately called the police. The police response was quick and the officers were able to apprehend Collier almost immediately after receiving the report. All involved did a great job in this case.”

Police say Collier has lengthy criminal history to include the following convictions of Indecent Conduct in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2016, in addition to a 2001 being convicted in 2001 of Visual Sexual Aggression against a Child.

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