A man from San Jose arrested after secretly recording dozens using hidden camera in a restroom at Starbucks
A 35-year-old San Jose man was arrested last week after police say he placed a hidden camera in a Starbucks restroom and filmed dozens of victims, including juveniles, over the course of one day in January.
Louie Juarez Jr. was arrested on March 15 and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of possession of child pornography and installment of a hidden surveillance camera with audio, police said.
Juarez also faces weapons charges after detectives found about 20 guns and other miscellaneous micro cameras during a search of his home, police said. The firearms and ammunition recovered include high-capacity magazines, an assault rifle and an unregistered gun.
Marta Gonzalez, a resident of San Jose, expressed concern on Wednesday, stating that she and her two children often use the restroom at Starbucks and are worried they may have used it on the day the camera was discovered under the sink.
“It’s just terrible. This is like a community, everyone comes here, and just to have people looking at you. That’s insane,” she said.
Scott Picanco, another San Jose resident, mentioned that upon learning about the hidden camera, he is considering making some changes.
“It also makes you think about how common this is in other places. It will make me think twice about using a public restroom,” he said.
A spokesperson for Starbucks issued the following statement on Wednesday: “This is a deeply disturbing incident, and we are grateful for the quick and thorough response from the San Jose Police Department in apprehending the suspect. We cannot overstate the importance of providing a safe environment for our customers and partners (employees). We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement on this matter.”
Individuals who believe they may have been recorded by the hidden camera or have any information about the case are encouraged to contact Detective Lippert of the San José Police Sexual Assault Investigations Unit via email at 4583@sanjoseca.gov or by calling 408-277-4102.
Tips can be submitted anonymously using the P3TIPS mobile app, by calling the tip line at 408-947-STOP, or on www.siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.