As women, we know there are few places where we are truly safe from being assaulted by men, but we’d like to think some places exist where the threat feels minimal. One of them is probably the grocery store. What kind of threat could come when you’re strolling the aisles picking up frozen chicken nuggets, cereal, and bread? It feels like it should be harmless. But a woman in California found herself becoming a victim as she shopped at her local Whole Foods. As she shopped, a random man approached her and exposed himself right in the aisle. The lewd act was caught on camera, but the man is still on the loose.
Store cameras caught the illegal act.
The incident took place on March 23, 2026, at the Whole Foods in Valencia between 7:30 and 8 p.m., KABC reported. Surveillance video shows a man exposing himself to a woman inside the store. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has gotten the footage and is using it as a part of its investigation.
The man can be seen in the footage not just exposing himself but also allegedly rubbing his genitals on the woman’s ear, according to KTLA. She was crouched down and looking for something on a lower shelf in the aisle. Investigators said the man was also holding a cellphone during the assault, possibly to record the act.
A photo released by the sheriff’s department showed the man wearing a denim shirt and jeans. He appears to be in his mid-30s with black hair and brown eyes. He stands just over 6 feet tall and weighs around 220 pounds.
Authorities said the man could face multiple charges, including indecent exposure and sexual battery, KABC reported.
KTLA reached out to Whole Foods for a comment about the incident.
“We are deeply concerned about the incident,” the company shared in a statement. “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in their investigation.”
Anyone who recognizes the man is encouraged to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-260-4000.
People in the community are horrified after hearing what happened.
“A pervert is shopping with us. It’s very upsetting,” a woman named Norma told KABC while at the store.
“It’s just disgusting,” a female shopper at Whole Foods told KTLA. “I have children out here and grandchildren. This person needs to be (held) accountable.”
Ellie Perico, a retired law enforcement officer who lives near the store where the incident took place, spoke with CBS LA about the incident.
“That is alarming because if you’re going to do that in public, in front of people, in front of cameras, you don’t know what they’re doing in private, in bathrooms, parks,” she said.
Perico is a mom of two kids, who are 12 and 17. She said incidents like this force her to keep an eye on them a little bit more carefully. “We always raise them to be hyper-aware,” she explained to KTLA.
“I think in a community like this, where people think it’s so safe, you’re not exposed to stuff like that. They’re a little too trusting of people.”
