State police on Wednesday charged a Hempfield man with exposing himself to a clerk at a nearby convenience store in August.

Troopers said Paul Aaron Montella, 33, recognized himself on surveillance images released to the media in December and turned himself in.

He is charged with indecent exposure, open lewdness and disorderly conduct.

The suspect was seen on surveillance video adjusting his shirt and unzipping his shorts in the parking lot of the Valero gas station on Wendel Road while smoking a cigarette on Aug. 4 at 7 a.m.

The female clerk told police the man came into the store twice — the first time to buy a Pepsi and, moments later, he returned to purchase an iced tea, according to an affidavit. His genitals were exposed on the second occasion but she pretended not to notice, the clerk told troopers.

She called authorities after he walked out of the store with what appeared to be a smirk on his face, police said.

Montella declined to comment when reached by phone Wednesday. He said he is in the process of getting a lawyer and a mental health evaluation.

No court date has been set.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.

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