SOUTH PASADENA — Police arrested a 47-year-old convicted sex offender and parolee Thursday afternoon after he was spotted nude and masturbating in front of an apartment building, authorities said.

Edward Valdivia was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and violating parole, South Pasadena police officials said in a written statement.

He lived at the apartment building where the alleged incident occurred, which is owned by his father, police said.

A woman called police shortly after 1 p.m. to report seeing a disturbing sight, officials said.

“A male adult was completely nude and masturbating while sitting on the steps of an apartment complex in the 700 block Fremont Avenue,” according to the police statement.

Police arrested Valdivia after he was identified by the woman as the man who was exposing himself.

He was on parole for a drug conviction and is listed as a registered sex offender for “assault with intent to commit a specified sex offense,” officials said.

Valdivia was being held without bail pending arraignment Friday in Alhambra Superior Court.

PHOTO of Edward Valdivia courtesy of the South Pasadena Police Department