Man accused of masturbating near girl on Broward County Transit bus

MARGATE, Fla. — A 30-year-old man was arrested Sunday by Margate police, nearly two weeks after he allegedly masturbated in front of an 11-year-old girl while they were riding a Broward County Transit bus, authorities said.

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According to an arrest report from the Margate Police Department, Joel Ern Pizarro, of Pompano Beach, was arrested on a lewd and lascivious charge following the May 27 incident that occurred in the 6600 block of West Atlantic Boulevard.

Police said Pizarro and the victim, who was on the way to school, were riding the bus when the girl noticed that Pizarro moved to the empty seat directly across the aisle from her and then began masturbating while looking at her.

The victim tried to discreetly record Pizarro with her phone before looking away, authorities said.

According to the report, when the bus arrived at the victim’s stop she spoke to the bus driver about what occurred as Pizarro exited the bus.

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Police said the victim provided a description of the suspect to officers before they escorted her to school.

According to the report, she later identified Pizarro to police in a photo lineup.

Authorities noted in the report that in November 2025, Pizarro was arrested at the Broward County Tri-Rail Station on Northwest 33^rd Street in Pompano Beach after employees saw him masturbating in a public stairwell.

As of Tuesday morning, Pizarro was being held at the Broward County Main Jail on a $50,000 bond.

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