NJ taxi driver masturbated in front of kids and woman in 2 towns, cops say

LEONIA — A Palisades Park taxi driver is facing serious sex-crime charges after he was identified as the masturbating suspect who exposed himself to children in Palisades Park and a woman in Leonia this week.

Sungmin Ha, 38, was arrested Thursday by Leonia police and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault by sexual contact and two counts of third-degree child endangerment.

Police say Ha had been seen masturbating in his car in front of two 11-year-olds in Palisades Park on Wednesday. A day later, a woman in Leonia also reported seeing him masturbate in his car.

He was being held Friday at the Bergen County jail pending a hearing Wednesday.

New Jersey 101.5 did not know Friday whether Ha had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

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