Selden man charged with public lewdness

A registered sex offender from Selden was arraigned on charges Sunday that he committedmultiple cases of public lewdness in Suffolk County during the past nine months, Suffolk police said.

Police began investigating after a woman reported seeing a man performing a lewd act about 9:50 a.m. Friday in the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Jericho Turnpike in East Northport.

Police said they determined the man was Angel Laporte, 54. Laporte, who is a registered sex offender in Connecticut, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Saturday on Bear Street.

A further investigation found that Laporte is a suspect in acts of public lewdness at the Deer Park Public Library on Jan. 5 and the Commack and West Babylon libraries on May 7, 2012, police said.

Police said the New Milford, Conn., police department also has three warrants out for Laporte for failing to register as a sex offender. That department was notified of Laporte's arrest, police said.

Suffolk police arrested and charged Laporte with four counts of public lewdness on Saturday. Laporte remained in custody Sunday , according to police officials following his arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip, where a judge set bail at $40,000 cash or $80,000 in bond. He is scheduled for a Feb. 8 court hearing.

-- Laura Figueroa