A Denver firefighter was charged with indecent exposure after witnesses told Aurora police they saw him masturbating in a store at the mall.

Timothy Plybon, 34, was placed on paid administrative leave on June 7, one day after his arrest, said Melissa Taylor, a Denver Fire Department spokeswoman. He has been with the department since 2007, and he has no previous disciplinary issues, she said.

A witness alerted Aurora police officers of a man exposing himself inside the From Mexico Con Amor store at 8:30 p.m. on June 6, said Sgt. Chris Amsler, an Aurora police spokesman. Aurora police have a substation in the mall, and officers are hired to work security there.

The witness saw Plybon walk past the substation and pointed him out to police. The officer asked Plybon to stop but he did not, Amsler said.

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September 14, 2020 Motorcycle driver killed after rear-ending car in Aurora, police say Plybon kept walking to his car, ignoring commands to stop. A mall security vehicle blocked Plybon’s car and the officer was able to detain him, Amsler said.

A second witness from inside the store also identified Plybon as the man who was exposing himself in the store, Amsler said.

Two teen girls were in the store buying candy when Plybon allegedly exposed himself, according to a police report. A store clerk said she tried to distract them so they did not see what was happening.

Plybon was booked and released on a summons, Amsler said.