More than a few people said they saw a local man publicly masturbating near a Panama City grocery store, waving at patrons, before they called police Thursday, according to police reports.

PANAMA CITY — More than a few people said they saw a local man publicly masturbating near a Panama City grocery store, waving at patrons, before they called police Thursday, according to police reports.

Officers were attempting to arrest Solomon E. Smith III, 39, on a charge of indecent exposure following the alleged incident, but after a struggle with police he also was charged with battery on an officer and resisting arrest with violence, Panama City Police reported.

One of the shoppers at Save-A-Lot, 2800 E. Fifth St. in Panama City, told officers at about 1 p.m. Thursday they confronted Smith, who was standing behind a fence outside the business allegedly masturbating and waving at other shoppers in the parking lot, PCPD reported.

The victim said she was offended and wanted to press charges, police said.

When officers arrived and ordered Smith to place his hands behind his back, he refused, police reported. As police attempted to handcuff him, Smith allegedly pushed an officer multiple times before additional units arrived and were able to take him into custody, PCPD reported.

Smith was taken to the Bay County Jail, where he was being held on a combined bond of $5,000.