HANOVER, MA — August 18, 2026 — Chief Timothy Kane reports that a suspect was arrested and charged following an investigation into alleged lewd conduct in the parking lot of Target, 1167 Washington Street.
At approximately 2:44 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, Hanover Police officers responded to the Target parking lot after receiving multiple reports of a disturbance.
Witnesses reported that a shirtless white male was seated in a gray Kia with the windows down and was allegedly engaging in lewd conduct while the vehicle was parked in the middle of the lot. For those who might be wondering, Lewd conduct in a vehicle means performing an offensive sexual act or sexual touching inside a car when it is parked or driven in a public space, such as a street or parking lot, where other people can easily see inside.
While officers were responding, they learned that the vehicle had left the parking lot and was last seen traveling toward Route 53. Witnesses provided officers with a registration number matching the vehicle, along with a description of the suspect as a white male with a beard and strawberry-blond hair.
Through further investigation, officers identified the suspect as a Weymouth resident. Hanover Police Detectives worked with Weymouth Police Detectives to locate the suspect, who was found in the parking lot of Marshalls, located at 35 Pleasant Street in Weymouth.
The suspect, Troy Bennet, was taken into custody and charged with:
- M.G.L. Ch. 272, § 16: Open and Gross Lewdness & Lascivious Behavior
- M.G.L. Ch. 272, § 53: Lewd, Wanton & Lascivious Person
Bennet was subsequently released after posting $1,500 cash bail and was arraigned at Hingham District Court on the above charges.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Media Contact:
Chief Timothy Kane
Hanover Police Department
