said Lopera Zuluaga, 52, is charged with open and gross lewdness for allegedly masturbating in front of a 10-year-old girl on the T. PHOTO: TPD
A Revere man was arrestedon the MBTA last night for allegedly making sexually obscene gestures at a 10-year-old girl then masturbating in front of her.
Transit Police said Lopera Zuluaga, 52, boarded an outbound Blue Line train at Maverick Station and sat directly across from the victim. He began to make “inappropriate physical overtures directly at the young female,” according to a police report.
Within minutes, Zuluaga allegedly began masturbating “while glaring” at the girl, police said, attempting to hide himself under a backpack.
A woman noticed the activity, and began yelling, thereby drawing attention to Zuluaga who then attempted to flee. However, a man who had allegedly witnessed the incident tried to stop him from leaving the train, and a struggle ensued.
Zuluaga allegedly fled the train at Revere Beach Station, but was arrested on Nahant Street near the intersection of Shirley Avenue.
He was due to be arraigned today in Chelsea District Court for open and gross lewdness.
Transit Police Superintendent-in-Chief Joseph O’Connor today commended T passengers for speaking up.
“Our See Something, Say Something campaign applies to anything that people view as unusual. Not only important to our anti terrorism efforts, but it’s also important to the general, overall safety of the MBTA,” O’Connor said. “It’s very important that riders work with police so we can keep the MBTA as safe and secure as possible.”
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