A Buford man was arrested on July 15 after two people witnessed him “holding his body parts” in the parking lot of a local gas station.

Police were called to the Chevron at 2820 Hamilton Mill Road after two callers reported seeing a white male engaged in indecent acts. The first caller advised that the male, later identified as Michael C. Bowen of 467 Thunder Road in Buford, was standing in front of the Chevron with his pants down “holding his body parts.” A second witness called 911 after allegedly seeing Bowen engaged in an indecent act near some heavy equipment parked near the road.

According to the police report, Bowen ran into the woods after an off-duty corrections officer attempted to make contact with him. Several Gwinnett County Police officers set up a perimeter around the wooded area and eventually located Bowen. The first officer to spot the suspect “observed the male with his pants down and his genitals exposed.”

Both witnesses positively identified Bowen as the man they had seen publicly engaged in an indecent act. Bowen denied any wrongdoing and said he had been living in the woods since his wife kicked him out of the house.

Due to the witnesses’ positive identification, Bowen was placed under arrest and charged with public indecency. Since Bowen has only one arm, his arm was handcuffed to a belt loop on his jeans prior to his transport to the Gwinnett County Detention Center.

Bowen was released the following day on a $1,300 bond.