What to Know
- Jesus Acanda, 54, was arrested Monday on a charge of loitering or prowling
- When Acanda's car was stopped, he was found with his pants unbuttoned, authorities said
- Detectives want to know if Acanda has victimized any children
A man who was pleasuring himself in his car while watching children outside two Cooper City schools has been arrested, authorities said.
Jesus Acanda, 54, was arrested Monday on a charge of loitering or prowling after a deputy spotted a suspicious car roaming near Cooper City Elementary and Pioneer Middle schools, Broward Sheriff's Office officials said.
The deputy initially thought the driver of the 2003 Nissan Altima was a parent waiting to pick up a student but as students were released from school, the deputy saw Acanda driving slowly and stopping near areas where children were gathered playing, officials said.
When Acanda's car was stopped, he was found with his pants unbuttoned and he threw tissue paper out of the window as deputies approached, officials said.
Acanda, who doesn't live in Broward County and wasn't there to pick up a student, gave different stories for why he was in the area, officials said. After he was taken into custody he admitted he was masturbating while watching the children, officials said.
Acanda was booked into jail where he remained on $5,000 bond Thursday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
Authorities say Acanda has been arrested in the past for lewd and lascivious behavior and indecent exposure near schools. Detectives want to know if Acanda has victimized any children and are asking anyone with information to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
