KISSIMMEE, FL — A 22-year-old Kissimmee man is back behind bars after a quick-thinking father and a bystander tackled and detained him inside a retail clothing store. Anthony Santana was arrested after allegedly exposing his genitals to a 9-year-old girl at the Ross Dress for Less store located at 3231 Vineland Road.
Because Santana was convicted of identical offenses in a neighboring county just months ago, his charges have been elevated to a felony.
Detained by Store Patrons
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies rushed to the retail store on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, following emergency calls regarding a sex offender in custody.
According to incident reports, a 9-year-old girl ran to her father in tears, stating that a man in the aisle had intentionally exposed his penis to her. The young victim pointed out Santana, who was attempting to navigate through the store. The victim’s father and another male shopper immediately intercepted Santana, physically restraining him on the floor until law enforcement arrived.
Arresting deputies noted that Santana was wearing pajama pants that had been intentionally ripped open in the groin area and was not wearing underwear. When investigators asked Santana why he thought he was being detained by the shoppers, he reportedly responded that “it was likely to be something sexual in nature.”
Pattern of Behavior
A routine background check revealed that Santana is a repeat offender who was only recently released back into the community. On February 12, 2026, he was adjudicated guilty in Seminole County on two separate counts of exposure of sexual organs. In those prior cases, Santana was caught masturbating in front of adult women inside a public parking lot.
He was booked into the Osceola County Jail on a felony charge of Exposure of Sexual Organs (Second or Subsequent Offense).
Call for Additional Public Contacts
Detectives express concern that Santana’s behavior has escalated from targeting adult women in parking lots to targeting young children inside retail spaces.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone in the community who may have had unwanted or suspicious interactions with Santana to contact their department immediately. Investigators noted that he drives a red 2003 Ford Mustang, which is the same vehicle tied to his previous offenses in Seminole County.