Two officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources looking for fishing violations in a Ramsey park Thursday, May 10, stumbled upon someone reportedly engaged in a different kind of illegal act.

The officers found a man blindfolded, with his wrists and ankles bound with rope to nearby trees and his genitals exposed, according to Ramsey Police Chief Jim Way.

The man, Alan David Petrusson, 50, of Pillager, Minn., apparently was waiting to engage in “anonymous sex,” Way said.

The incident occurred just after 5 p.m. in Dayton Port Roadside Park, in the 9200 block of U.S. 10 in Ramsey.

“It’s not uncommon to see that kind of behavior in this park, or in parks across the metro, really. … It’s a hangout for people into that kind of activity,” Way said. “They wait for someone to come by and perform sexual acts on them.”

Ramsey police officers conduct random sweeps to monitor for the activity, which often takes place on private properties adjacent to the Ramsey park and involves mostly men, Way said. He added that some people use signals to alert others of their interest in engaging in sexual activity, such as leaving their car headlights on or rolling down their car windows to a certain level.

“There is a whole culture to it,” Way said. “My biggest concern is that families and children use these parks.”

Thursday’s incident led to Petrusson’s arrest on suspicion of indecent exposure and trespassing, Way said. Petrusson could not be reached for comment Friday.

Ramsey police reportedly found Petrusson walking on a path in the park shortly after the DNR officers saw him in the compromised position, Way said. Their identification led to Petrusson’s arrest.

Police also found ropes nearby that Petrusson admitted to using to tie himself up with slipknots in order to wait for sex, Way said. Petrusson’s car also was found with pornographic materials inside.

Though police have found others engaged in sex acts at the park, Way described Thursday’s behavior as “unusual.”

Sarah Horner can be reached at 651-228-5539.