SAN JOSE — Police have announced the arrest of a man suspected of installing a hidden camera in a women’s restroom at a Starbucks coffee shop earlier this year.
Louie Juarez Jr., 35, of San Jose, was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for possession of child pornography, installment of a hidden surveillance camera with audio, possession of high capacity magazines, possession of an assault rifle, and possession of an unregistered firearm. (San Jose Police Department)
The secret device recorded at least 90 people, ranging in age from 4 to 85, using the facilities at one of the coffee chain’s locations on Coleman Avenue near Taylor Street, according to the San Jose Police Department.
Officers were called Jan. 31 after someone reported the discovery of a camera affixed beneath a sink in the restroom, pointed at the toilet.
“These videos are extremely graphic and contain multiple juvenile victims, fully exposed,” police said.
The camera recorded between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the previous day, Jan. 30. An ensuing police investigation examined the camera and found “evidence of the suspect setting up the device,” police said.
Related Articles
Woman charged with murder in fatal stabbing of her mother in Berkeley
Suspect in Bay Area freeway shooting arrested by CHP
Arsonist starts fire in Campbell business
Police vehicle pursuits in one Bay Area county rose 131 percent since 2018
2 East Bay shoplifting suspects found in possession of guns, drugs
That led police to identify Louie Juarez Jr., a 35-year-old San Jose resident. On March 15, police arrested him at a home in the city. While serving a search warrant, police said they recovered “other miscellaneous micro cameras,” including one resembling a toy soccer ball.
Seized hidden cameras that were located inside the restroom of a coffee shop on Coleman Avenue and weapons found in the residential of suspect Louie Juarez Jr., 35, of San Jose. Juarez was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for possession of child pornography, installment of a hidden surveillance camera with audio, possession of high-capacity magazines, possession of an assault rifle, and possession of an unregistered firearm. (San Jose Police Department)
Officers also seized more than 20 guns including an assault rifle and unregistered gun, as well as high-capacity magazines. The rifle and magazines were illegally owned, police said.
Juarez was booked on suspicion of possessing child pornography, installing a hidden surveillance camera, possessing high-capacity magazines, possessing an assault rifle, and possessing an unregistered firearm.
The investigation continues, police said; investigators are seeking information from other potential victims of Juarez’s alleged activity. Anyone with information for police can contact Detective John Lippert at 4583@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4102. Tips can be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.