Man Arrested for Urinating Near Youth on Broward Bus
A 30‑year‑old man was taken into custody by Margate Police on Sunday following an incident that occurred on May 27 on a Broward County Transit bus. The arrest was for a lewd and lascivious charge. The suspect, Joel Ern Pizarro of Pompano Beach, is accused of positioning himself in an empty seat across from an 11‑year‑old girl and masturbating while she was on the bus to school.
The victim recorded the act with her phone, then reported the incident to the bus driver when the vehicle reached her stop. Police later interviewed her and collected a description, after which she identified Pizarro in a photo lineup. Authorities said the suspect had a prior arrest in November 2025 for a similar offense at a public stairwell in Pompano Beach.
Pizarro is being held in Broward County Main Jail on a $50,000 bond. No additional charges or legal actions have been announced as of the latest update.