Steven R. Burge

Steven R. Burge, 38, was videotaped allegedly pulling his penis out of his pants and fondling it behind a woman’s back, as she pushed a child in a buggy through an aisle, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department incident report.

“The young child appeared to see it take place,” Officer Skye Bradley reported. “I was unable to locate the female or child while investigating on scene.”

Bradley identified Burge, who was still inside the store, as the suspect and took him into custody. She also notified the Department of Children Services, which will open an investigation into the welfare of Burge’s child as a result of the incident.

Kyle Evans, public information officer for the Police Department, said Tuesday investigators are still interested in determining the woman’s identity.

“She was not identified as she could not be located in the store, and (she) has not since come forward,” Evans said, adding no other women reported they were also flashed that day while at Wal-Mart.

He said if the woman who is featured in the video does come forward, Burge could possibly face additional charges.

This is the first time Burge has been arrested and charged with such a crime in Rutherford County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“Burge admitted to the exposure of his penis for the ‘thrill,’” Bradley reported, adding he confessed to the crime after being read his Miranda rights and taken into custody.

He was then transported to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where he was held on a $2,000 bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 7 in General Sessions Court.

“This is the second incident in a week where this has occurred, and we want to be clear that this type of behavior is illegal,” Evans said.

On Nov. 14, Murfreesboro police were called to a bus stop at the corner of Greenland Drive and Old Lascassas in reference to a white male suspect allegedly flashing his genitals to children in the area, according to an incident report filed by Officer Christopher Gann.

The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Charles A. Springer, who Gann recognized from previous incidents involving indecent exposure accusations, according to the report.

“Springer stated he observed a female who appeared to be going to school and exposed his penis to her, but not his testicles,” Gann reported. “He further stated he has a problem with expressing himself and has been going to counseling, but the urge has been building up for a few days to expose himself to a female.”

Springer allegedly told police that he receives a “high and likes to see what kind of reaction he gets.” He also said most people react by smiling, according to the report.

Several attempts were made to contact the complainant who alerted police to the situation while they were at the scene, but they were unable to initially conduct interviews or gather enough evidence to obtain warrants.

As a result, Springer was released from custody.

Later that day, one of the underage female victims told police Springer drove past the bus stop Nov. 3 several times, before returning nude and flashing the students, according to the report.

The female victim and her father then agreed to press charges, allowing police to obtain two warrants for Springer’s arrest.

Springer has not yet been located since he was released from custody last week. Police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact CrimeStoppers at 615-893-7867.

“We will prosecute offenders to the fullest extent possible,” Evans said. “If someone observes this behavior, report it immediately. Do not wait to report it later.”