San Jose: Man arrested after hidden camera found in Starbucks restroom

Louie Juarez Jr. is accused of installing the device in a women's restroom at a coffee shop on Coleman Avenue.

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.

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.

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.

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.