Seth West, 26, of Valparaiso, has been charged following an investigation into a reported public indecency incident at the Target in Hobart.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hobart Police were dispatched to the Target in Hobart at approximately 2:22 p.m. on June 29, 2026, regarding a report of public indecency.
A woman told police she was walking through the Target parking lot when a gray Honda Civic pulled alongside her. She reported the driver was a white male in his twenties who was naked from the waist down, had his penis exposed and was touching or masturbating his genitals while looking directly at her. The woman reported the driver then left the area.
The woman alerted her boyfriend to what had occurred, and the two followed the suspect vehicle through Merrillville. During that time, they obtained photographs of the vehicle and its license plate. Police determined the gray Honda Civic was registered to West.
During a follow-up interview on July 2, the woman told investigators she felt as though someone was following her as she exited Target. She recalled turning and seeing the gray Honda Civic pull up beside her. The woman stated the driver was wearing a dark-colored shirt, was naked from the waist down, had an erect penis exposed and was masturbating while staring at her.
The woman stated she yelled and ran to her boyfriend’s truck, after which the suspect drove away. Her boyfriend corroborated the sequence of events but told investigators he had a limited opportunity to observe the suspect. According to court documents, neither the woman nor her boyfriend was able to positively identify the driver during photographic lineup procedures.
Investigators later obtained surveillance footage from Target. According to the affidavit, the footage showed a gray Honda Civic driving through the parking lot at approximately 2:19 p.m. The vehicle was observed pulling alongside the woman and slowing near her before leaving the area. The footage also showed the woman entering her boyfriend’s pickup truck immediately following the encounter. Investigators stated the surveillance footage was consistent with the witnesses’ statements.
Police conducted a consensual, non-custodial interview with West on July 14. According to court documents, West stated that no one else drove or had access to his gray Honda Civic.
As the interview progressed, West allegedly admitted that on June 29 at approximately 2:20 p.m., he drove his Honda Civic to the Merrillville Target and “flashed” a female. West clarified that he exposed his penis by pulling his shorts down approximately halfway.
West reportedly acknowledged that the woman was attractive. When asked whether he may have done so for the thrill or excitement of getting a reaction from the woman, West agreed that was a possibility and could not provide another explanation for his actions.
According to the affidavit, West expressed embarrassment and regret regarding the incident throughout the interview.
Charges filed August 17, 2026:
- Public Indecency — Class A Misdemeanor
- Public Nudity — Class B Misdemeanor
- Public Nudity — Class C Misdemeanor
