Police in Bucks County are looking for a man accused of exposing himself and performing a lewd act inside a Dollar Tree, an incident investigators suspect could be connected to an online trend targeting unsuspecting women in retail stores. Falls Township police identified the man as 30-year-old A ntony Oates, who they say is from Trenton. Police on both sides of the Delaware River are looking for him. Police said one incident happened on Aug. 4, 2026, inside a Dollar Tree in Falls Township. Chief Nelson Whitney said Oates was grabbing himself before exposing himself while two women were in the same aisle. “That is befuddling and disgusting and no one should ever have to go through that,” one shopper said. Oates left the store, police said. Whitney said images of the man began circulating and law enforcement sources were able to identify him. “The best thing for you to do is turn yourself in,” Whitney said. Whitney said investigators suspect Oates’ alleged behavior could be tied to an online trend involving nonconsensual sexual misconduct in retail stores. Police say men target unsuspecting female customers, frequently at Dollar Tree locations, by exposing themselves and performing other lewd acts. Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673. According to authorities, men in some cases encourage each other online to enter stores and perform lewd acts, and videos of the incidents have been posted online. The trend has gained national attention. “If an offender is foolish enough to film themselves doing this, we will find that evidence,” Whitney said. Police said stores can become targets because crowded aisles and employees stocking seasonal merchandise can provide places for people committing the acts to hide. “The safety and security of our associates and customers are our highest priorities. We take reports of inappropriate, unlawful, or harassing behavior in our stores extremely seriously. Any incident of this nature is unacceptable, and when we become aware of criminal activity, we cooperate fully with law enforcement and support their investigations. Dollar Tree is committed to having effective safety and security programs. Through policies, training, and operational procedures, we work to maintain a safe and secure environment for associates, customers, and visitors. Our efforts include ongoing safety education, regular policy reviews, risk assessment and mitigation activities, investments in physical security measures, and collaboration with local law enforcement. We continuously evaluate and strengthen these programs as part of our commitment to the wellbeing and safety of everyone in our facilities,” a spokesperson for Dollar Tree wrote in a statement. Whitney urged shoppers who see similar activity to call 911. If you know where Oates is, please contact your local police department. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less