A man who exposed himself to a woman, then threatened her brother with a gun at a Manhattan subway stop is a former detective, according to a report.
Steven Esposito, 56, was arrested after police say he masturbated in front of a 38-year-old woman Monday on the southbound N/R platform at the station at Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street.
The woman was standing on the platform when she told police she heard a hissing noise next to her. When she looked over, she saw Esposito moving his hand back and forth on his unclothed penis while smiling and staring at her, according to a criminal complaint.
Esposito walked away, and the woman started to cry, police said. Her 41-year-old brother asked her what was wrong, and after she explained what had happened, he took out his cellphone and started to follow Esposito while recording video.
When Esposito got to the station’s exit, he pulled out a black handgun, pointed it at the brother, telling him to mind his own business, according to police.
Esposito denied that he exposed himself to the woman, saying he was just urinating inside the subway station, the complaint said.
The New York Daily News reports Esposito is a retired police detective.
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He was charged with menacing, public lewdness and exposure of a person.
It wasn't immediately clear what position Esposito held at the NYPD or if he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.
