Brooklyn Man Charged with Public Lewdness in Incident at Congers Lake

BY BILL DEMAREST

CONGERS – A Brooklyn man who jumped into Congers Lake on Monday after he was seen masturbating on a park bench has been charged with public lewdness, according to Clarkstown police.

Aron Roth, 31, faces a hearing Wednesday in Clarkstown Town Court in New City on the misdemeanor charge. He was arrested after Monday’s 2 p.m. incident.

Police said that as Roth was masturbating on a park bench at the lake off Congers Lake Road in Congers he was confronted by a witness, and a second witness called 911. As he realized police were being called, police said Roth told the witnesses he was going to harm himself and then jumped into the lake.

That action prompted officials to call out Congers volunteer firefighters and divers from nearby fire departments for a possible rescue effort. However, by the time firefighters arrived police said Roth swam back to land – turning back when the water became too deep for him.

Roth was taken into custody by Clarkstown police and taken to a hospital for evaluation. After being treated and released, Roth was arrested and arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court by Judge Howard Gerber. He was released pending tomorrow’s hearing.

Republished: Nyack Free Press