Police: 73-year-old man fondled self at public pool in Northville

NORTHVILLE, Mich. (WJBK) - A 73-year-old Northville man is charged with committing an obscene act at a community pool.

Police say he was fondling himself near some families. And as we discovered tonight - police say this isn't this man's first time pleasuring himself in public and now he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

"It is pretty disgusting," said Don Hunter. "It is a family place, I was surprised as everyone else."

Don Hunter, like so many other adults and children, was celebrating the 4th of July holiday and enjoying Northville Township's Highland Parks Community Pool.

A panicked woman walking back from the parking lot reported seeing an older man pleasuring himself behind the pool shed.

"When we found out, we were like what's going on around here, it's a family place," said Don Hunter. "This has never happened before"

Leanne Marco, who was working as a lifeguard that day, says they immediately called police. But by the time officers arrived, the suspect had disappeared.

"It's ridiculous any kids could be walking around," she said. "There's always kids down at the lake. It's a family atmosphere. I don't know why he picked this place why he chose the 4th of July.

Luckily a very observant woman was able to get the man's license plate number before he left the parking lot. That led police to the Northville home of 73-year-old Paul Hansknecht where he was placed under arrest.

It turns out, he was wanted for doing this before.

"The authorities said they have been trying to catch him," she said. "This is his third reported sighting."

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the evidence because of his history of "repetitive and compulsive acts," Hansknecht was charged with indecent exposure by a sexually delinquent person. A felony that could land him in prison for life.

The 73-year-old was released on bond is on tether and confined to his home. But when FOX 2 paid him a visit, his wife who claims there is more to the story, tells us her husband had nothing to say.

"The courts handle this, not the media," she said.

FOX 2: "He was at a public pool."

"You don't know the story," she said.