Man arrested for alleged lewd act on public bus

Burbank police on Tuesday arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly brushing his forearm against an 11-year-old girl’s breast while on a public bus.

Manuel Retana, 35, was booked on suspicion of committing a lewd act with a minor after being detained by officers on Tuesday in the area of Victory Boulevard and Vineland Avenue.

During the afternoon hours of Aug. 31, Retana allegedly brushed his forearm against the girl on a public bus when she stood up to exit at her stop.

The girl, who rides the bus home from school from North Hollywood Way and West Victory Boulevard, told officers that she had seen Retana in the past weeks waiting for the bus and on an older blue bicycle. Retana had allegedly tried to begin conversations with the girl, but she repeatedly ignored him.

On the date of the alleged incident, police say Retana entered the bus and sat two rows behind the girl. When she rose to pull the stop cord, he stood and allegedly brushed her breast area, police said.

The girl reported the incident the following day to her school’s student resource officer.

“Officers were out in the area [on Tuesday] to see if they could find him,” said Sgt. Robert Quesada. “They responded to a report of a possible sighting of the suspect and detained him until the victim positively identified him.”

Retana, a Van Nuys resident, was eventually found and detained Tuesday morning in North Hollywood. The girl was brought to the scene, where she identified him, police said.

Retana was placed under arrest and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in a Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom in Burbank.

Officials are asking anyone with more information on Retana, or any other possible victims to contact Burbank police Det. Peter Eirich at (818) 238-3255.