A Long Island man, Nicholas Critelli, 20, has been arrested for the fifth time on charges of public lewdness, drawing sharp criticism from the Suffolk County District Attorney over New York's bail reform laws. Critelli was arrested this week after allegedly exposing himself to a woman in a Stony Brook AMC movie theater parking lot.
The victim identified Critelli to police after recognizing him from news reports about his previous arrests. According to authorities, Critelli drove up to the woman, made eye contact, and then masturbated. This marks the fifth time Critelli has faced criminal charges for similar alleged behavior.
"This is now [Critelli’s] fifth criminal case alleging deplorable behavior against women who are simply going about their day," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stated. "How many more victims must come forward before State lawmakers realize that our bail laws are completely failing law abiding citizens?"
Critelli's alleged offenses began in June when he targeted two women in parking lots in Sayville. He was released on misdemeanor public lewdness charges. He was subsequently arrested twice more in July, in Walmart and Target parking lots in Centereach and Commack, respectively. After his second arrest, he was released again, this time on supervised release. Following his most recent arrest, Critelli was once again released, according to officials.
"Case after case shows the same pattern: My office is not allowed to ask for bail despite the seriousness of the alleged crimes and the documented repeated behavior," Tierney said, labeling bail reform as a failure.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to contact Suffolk County police. Critelli has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to return to court on November 4. The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County is representing him.