Man accused of rubbing up against CTA passengers allegedly told police he has “problems”

When a man accused of rubbing his genitals up against female CTA passengers was arrested this week, he allegedly told police he had “problems.”

“I have problems with the girls and I need help,” Juan Juarez said upon his arrest on Wednesday, according to a police report.

“I rubbed the girls on the train. I have problems.”

Juarez, 47, was identified by two of his victims, who were attacked earlier this year, Cook County prosecutors said Friday.

The first victim, a 64-year-old woman, was traveling on the Red Line, in the 200 block of North Sheffield Avenue on May 13, when Juarez pushed his penis up against her back, Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Molesky said.

A few weeks later, on June 2, the woman was riding the Red Line again when she saw Juarez allegedly rub up against another victim in a similar manner.

The woman intervened by placing a bag between Juarez and the unknown victim, Molesky said.

Juarez fled but the 64-year-old woman reported both incidents and police were able to get Juarez’s picture using surveillance footage, Molesky said.

Then, last month on Sept. 4, Juarez continuously bumped his penis up against the body of another woman who was riding on a CTA bus in the 3400 block of West Belmont Avenue, Molesky said.

The woman attempted to move away and pushed Juarez with her elbow, but he allegedly kept grinding up against her.

Juarez, of the 4800 block of West Barry Avenue, eventually got off the bus, Molesky said.

The victim on the bus reported the crime to police and again, Juarez was caught on camera, Molesky said.

Juarez was taken into custody in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue this week.

Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered Juarez held in lieu of $100,000 bail Friday for aggravated battery and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Juarez has a previous misdemeanor battery conviction for rubbing up against a 15-year-old girl on the CTA, according to Molesky.