Police arrested Dinesh Panchavarnam, 31, of Bentonville, in connection with indecent exposure on Monday, Aug. 27.

Capt. Tim Cook said police received a call from people at Tanyard Creek Nature Trail a little after 7 p.m. saying they believed someone was following them.

Cook said they attempted to let the man in question pass and he did not. The reporting parties recorded the individual, he said, and the video allegedly showed him masturbating.

Officers arrived on scene and reviewed the footage, he said, before confronting Panchavarnam, who started apologizing before he was arrested.

Cook said this doesn't seem to be particularly common, but people should be aware of their surroundings and keep an eye out for potential problems like this.

The reporting parties did everything they should have done, he said, to ensure they stayed safe. He encouraged anyone who feels uncomfortable to contact the police.

"Bella Vista is one of the safest communities to live in," he said. "We're going to work as hard as we can to provide the best police protection we can."

Indecent exposure is a misdemeanor charge, meaning the penalty may not exceed one year in jail and a fine of $1,000 plus court costs.