DeKalb County sheriff Jeffrey Mann arrested for indecency at Atlanta park

ATLANTA -Atlanta police say a Dekalb County sheriff was arrested Saturday night in Piedmont Park on indecency, obstruction charges

According to an official police report, an officer patrolling Piedmont Park around 11 p.m. noticed the suspect, later identified as Jeffrey Mann fondling himself in an area of the park known for sexual acts after dark. 

The officer stated in the report that Mann started to walk toward him and then completely exposed his genitals as he continued to fondle himself. The officer said he hid behind a tree to prevent Mann from seeing the reflective tape on his City of Atlanta police bicycle. When Mann came within a few feet of him, he pointed his flashlight at him. That's when he took off running, according to the officer's report

The officer said during the chase he identified himself as police and demanded the suspect stop but Mann didn't.

"I ran behind the male, yelling, 'Police, STOP!'" wrote the officer.

The bicycle officer said after chasing Mann for about a quarter mile across 10th Street to a residential area of Midtown, Mann gave himself up when he realized the officer was gaining on him and was taken into custody.

In the police report, it says Mann lost ground because he had to stop and tie his shoes

Jeffrey Mann

The Atlanta Police Department declined to comment on the arrest, saying that it is an ongoing investigation.  Mann bonded out of the Atlanta city jail.  Both charges against him are misdemeanors.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office released a statement on Sunday that read:

    "DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann was arrested last night, May 6, 2017, by the City of Atlanta Police Department on charges of indecency and obstruction. He is working with City of Atlanta to clear these charges."

Mann, who was first elected sheriff in 2014 and served in the department since 2001, has been released from the Atlanta City Jail on bond.