WILMINGTON, Del. ― Police in New Castle County arrested a Verizon solicitor for lewdness after witnesses reported seeing him masturbating while sitting on a street in North Wilmington.

Authorities say Daniel Chelland, 18, of a Garfield Avenue in Wilmington, was arrested Tuesday and charged with counts of lewdness after witnesses reported the indecent exposure to police. Police say Chellend was allegedly going door-to-door on Monday soliciting Verizon services in the North Graylyn Crest community when he was observed taking a break on the curb and masturbating while watching a woman working in her garden.

Neighbors told police Chelland then got up and went to a home on Knowles Road where he attempted to sell Verizon services.

By the time police arrived, Chelland had left the area. Authorities say on Tuesday they received a call about a suspicious man going door-to-door soliciting for Verizon. After a short foot chase, Chelland was arrested and linked to the lewd act on Monday.

Chelland was arraigned and committed to the Howard Young Prison after failing to post $20,500 bail.

Police say Chelland had previously solicited for Verizon in Bear, Newark, North Wilmington and Claymont.