Clayton Police have arrested an 18-year-old in connection with the recent sightings of a pantless prowler in one Clayton neighborhood.
Carlos Antonio Soto of Bobby Ray Court in Clayton is charged with indecent exposure stemming from incidents last month in Riverwood.
Detectives previously identified Soto as a suspect and interviewed him following reports from residents in December.
Home security video captured the man walking around homes in the Riverwood Athletic Club neighborhood on December 6th and 7th. The suspect was seen walking across driveways, near front and back doors, and in some cases was not wearing pants.
The surveillance videos clearly supported residents’ complaints, however, detectives needed more evidence before criminal charges could be made. Over the last month, they were able to finally collect enough evidence to support criminal charges. Detectives secured warrants for Soto’s arrest on January 8th.
Clayton Police Chief Blair Myhand recognized the neighborhood’s understandable frustration and growing fear when an arrest was not immediately made.
“We truly appreciate the community’s help in bringing this disturbing case to close,” said Chief Myhand. “More and more people are installing cameras on their homes and the surveillance video is incredibly helpful to law enforcement everywhere in catching criminals. In this instance though, we needed the law to catch up to technology. For now at least, cameras can’t be victims; only people can.”
Soto was arrested and given a $1,000 secured bond. His first appearance is scheduled for today (Thursday) at the Johnston County Courthouse.
Carlos was also charged in 2019 with exposing himself outside a window of the Riverwood Athletic Club gymnasium.
