Mahwah Man Accused of Lewd Acts in Department Stores

A Mahwah man has been accused of lewd acts in two Ramsey department stores.

Matthew Widner, 20, of Franklin Turnpike, was arrested by Ramsey Police on July 19, after police responded to a report at a Kohl's department store of a man acting "suspicious in the women's intimate clothing section."

Officers reviewed the store's surveillance video, and determined Widner had been "masturbating in the vicinity of both women and children." He was charged with acts of lewdness.

Officers later reviewed a similar case that occurred on June 4 at the T.J. Maxx in the Interstate Shopping Center, where it was reported that a man had been seen taking "inappropriate pictures" with his cell phone camera. After reviewing surveillance footage, Widner was identified and charged with invasion of privacy.

Widner's was released on his own recognizance, and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.