Man exposes himself inside popular restaurant near Northlake Mall

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Will Johnson often brings his three children out to eat in the busy area around Northlake Mall often.

He was shocked when he was told that Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating a report that a man exposed himself inside a Panera Bread on Saturday night after the restaurant closed. The man allegedly ran out toward W.T. Harris Boulevard.

“It's a little shocking to me, to be honest with you,” Johnson said. “There's a lot of little kids around here, a lot of places families go to hang out."

Police said it happened around 10:30 p.m. at 9309 Center Lake Drive.

“In this area, in this shopping center, I cannot imagine that. That's scary,” Despina Cuffee said.

Channel 9 created a crime map of the area and found that in the last four weeks there have been six assaults and two burglaries reported within a half-mile of the shopping center.

There were no recent sex crimes until the reported indecent exposure.

People are hoping police are able to identify and arrest the suspect before he exposes himself again.

“I would hope cameras would at least help in the matter,” Adam Miller said.

A Panera manager referred Channel 9 to the corporate office. Anchor Liz Foster reached out to the media relations team to find out if this restaurant is making any security changes, but she hasn’t heard back.

Police said that no arrests have been made.

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