Police accuse man of committing lewd acts in Marin County middle school bathroom

Mill Valley police arrested a man on allegations he committed lewd acts in front of girls in a school restroom.

The incident was reported Monday afternoon at Mill Valley Middle School on Sycamore Avenue. The initial report was that the man had entered the restroom and talked with the girls, the police department said. Police contacted Derrell Bland nearby, determined he was the suspect, cited him on suspicion of trespassing, and released him.

“Further investigation by our officers discovered the male suspect had in fact entered the female restroom, briefly conversed with victims, exposed his genitalia and proceeded to masturbate in their presence,” the police department said. “It was further reported that the suspect had attempted to blockthe door behind himself once in the restroom, causing the victims to feel as though they were being imprisoned within the restroom with no room for escape.”

Police arrested Bland on Tuesday and booked him into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of indecent exposure, false imprisonment, lewd conduct, trespassing and other counts. His bail amount is $25,000. The booking log lists Bland, 33, as a Mill Valley resident.