Boston man arrested for open and gross conduct on the MBTA

(MBTA Transit Police)

Juan Pena.

By Jeremy C. Fox, Town Correspondent

Transit Police arrested a Boston man for open and gross conduct after he exposed himself and approached a woman in a subway station, the MBTA said.

The woman told Transit Police she was waiting to board an Orange Line train at Tufts Medical Center station around 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 when she first noticed the man enter the paid area without paying by “piggybacking” in behind a paying customer, the MBTA said.

Pena then allegedly approached the woman with his pants unzipped and his hand on his exposed genitals. The woman screamed and began to walk away, but she said the man followed close behind her and continued to masturbate.

The woman reported the incident and Transit Police began an investigation.

Around 8:20 p.m. on Oct. 14, the woman saw the suspect standing on the platform at Tufts Medical Center station. She contacted Transit Police, who came to the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Juan Pena, 23.

Officers arrested Pena and charged him with open and gross conduct and transported him to headquarters. Pena was scheduled to appear in Boston Municipal Court Monday.

Transit Police encourage passengers who have been sexually assaulted or witnessed inappropriate conduct to contact the Criminal Investigation Unit at 617-222-1050 or the Intelligence Unit at 617-222-1170.

In the immediate aftermath of an incident, victims may call the Transit Police emergency line at 617-222-1212 or report the crime using the MBTA SeeSay smartphone application.

Email Jeremy C. Fox at jeremycfox@gmail.com.
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