Sex offender offends BART passengers

A registered sex offender was arrested earlier this week after allegedly masturbating in front of other passengers aboard a BART train near Walnut Creek, according to BART police.

A BART rider called police around 11:15 a.m. Monday and reported that a rider on a Pittsburg-bound train was masturbating, according to BART police Lt. Mike Hayes. BART police stopped the train at the Walnut Creek station and the victim pointed out the suspect, whose name is not being released.

After detaining the man, officers determined that he had a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation and is a registered sex offender with a prior conviction for indecent exposure, Hayes said.

The man was arrested on the warrant and on suspicion of indecent exposure and was taken to county jail in Martinez.