Wood River, IL (KSDK)- Police say a metro east sex offender with a long criminal history was at it again. This time for exposing himself in front of a nursing home in Wood River.

Now he's charged with public indecency.

Police say Michael Cox of East Alton was peeping in windows and exposing himself behind the VIP Manor nursing home.

"It just makes me sick to my stomach. It just upsets me," said Lisa Cox of Edwardsville.

Her mother in law lives in the assisted living apartment complex right next door to VIP Manor. She says this incident is alarming.

Police say they arrested Cox Friday morning around 1:45 after a nursing home employee called them. When they arrived, they say, they caught him lurking around, wearing only underwear.

Police say Cox has a long criminal history dating all the way back to 1986 including charges for public indecency and aggravated battery.

Police say he doesn't only target nursing homes but he also has a history of committing crimes in motels and on college campuses.

Ashley Mincey, her boyfriend, and four children live next to the registered sex offender on Cooper Avenue. She describes Cox as a nice guy who keeps to himself.

"That's pretty bad to be honest especially at a nursing home. Those old people don't deserve that you can give them a heart attack and they don't deserve to die yet and he's probably pushing it running around nude. That's wrong," said Mincey.

A spokesperson with the nursing home says she's relieved that none of the residents were injured and she's proud of her employee who acted accordingly.

Cox is being held at the Madison County Jail. His bond is set at ten thousand dollars.