Man Arrested for Exposing, Fondling Himself at Westport Beach

WESTPORT — A Westport man is under arrest after police say he exposed himself and masturbated on the beach this morning in front of multiple women and at least one child.

This morning at approximately 11:20 a.m., Westport Police received a call from an off-duty officer who stated his wife was at Cherry and Webb Beach with their three-year-old daughter when she observed a man, later identified as 49-year-old Michael Couto of 13 Autumn Drive, Westport, masturbating on the beach. Officer Kyle Fernandes while en route received a radio transmission from Cherry and Webb lifeguards requesting police respond for a male exposing himself on the beach.

Officer Fernandes arrived on scene and spoke with the reporting party. He stated in his report she was visibly upset and was fighting back tears. He made his way to the beach and observed Couto sitting in a beach chair with his hands in his lap. After a brief conversation with Couto, Officer Fernandes placed him under arrest for open and gross lewdness.

Three additional women spoke with Officer Fernandes about the incident. In their statements, they said they observed Couto expose and fondle himself. They also said Couto had moved his chair further back towards the dunes and then closer to them and the three-year-old girl, who was with her mother.

One of the women provided Officer Fernandes with videos of the incident.

The Westport Police Department is asking anyone else who may have been a victim to contact the Detective Unit immediately.