Man Arrested for Lewd Act in Front of Child at Walmart

19 year old Elias Alan-Arturo Flor of Wahneta, turned himself in to the Winter Haven Police Department Saturday evening after police released images of him to the public in an attempt to identify him.

Flor was caught on Walmart surveillance cameras entering the store at about 8:30 pm on Friday night. According to a news release from the Winter Haven Police Department, he seemed to be searching for someone in the store before he headed for the restroom.

Once he exited, the cameras showed him walking into the toy department where he was seen pacing the isles for a short time before walking up behind a woman that was looking at toys with her 12 year old child.

The woman became aware that her child was clearly distraught and asked what was wrong.  The child explained what had happened, but by the time the woman turned around, Flor was gone.

The woman reported the events to the store management and police were called.  The child told them what had been witnessed and surveillance footage corroborated the child's statement.

"This situation is absolutely sickening," Chief Charlie Bird said in a news release. "I applaud the child's bravery to speak up and give details that gave information we could get to the media that assisted with the ultimate arrest of the suspect."

Flor has been charged with battery and committing a lewd act in the presence of a child 16 or younger.  He remains in the Polk County Jail in lieu of $25,500 bond.   His next court date is not known at this time.