VERO BEACH, FL - June 5, 2020 - According to an online news report published on BrinkWire.com, a married 37-year-old father of one was arrested by Indian River Shores Police for allegedly installing a hidden camera in a client's bathroom. The news report states that the man allegedly was installing electronics inside of a $20 million mansion in Vero Beach, Florida. The man purportedly set up secret cameras inside the mansion's bathroom, which was used by the owner's underage granddaughter and her underage female friend. The cameras reportedly captured video of the young girls showering, using the bathroom, and undressing. According to the news report, law enforcement stated that the suspect took had an office inside the home of the victims' grandfather, and the suspect placed a spy camera in the bathroom that was commonly used by a 16-year-old girl and her female friend who is 17-year-old.
According to the new report, the Indian River Shores Police set up a sting operation, and law enforcement successfully caught the 37-year-old suspect. The news report states that investigators served the suspect with a search warrant, and it was reported by DailyMail.com that the officers were loading unmarked police cars with boxes and one chest. The news report stated that law enforcement stated that they were searching for photos or videos of other spy cam victims in which the suspect may have victimized during his in-home electronics services. The suspect installed smart-house wiring, home theaters, computer equipment, sound systems, and surveillance camera systems.
Upon hearing the news reports, several residents with homes in exclusive neighborhoods such as John's Island began contacting the police department in order to have law enforcement search their homes for hidden spy cameras. According to Indian River Shores Police Chief Rich Rosell, the police think there may be several victims because the suspect serviced dozens of customers in the area, and the man had complete entree into their houses.
The suspect is facing two felony counts of video voyeurism, but the suspect may be facing additional charges, or video voyeurism counts should more victims come forward. The suspect posted a $50,000 bail bond and was released by police.
The news report also claims that the DailyMail.com reported that the probable cause affidavit claims the home owner's granddaughter and her best friend discovered the spy camera device in a bathroom that the two used. None of the names have been disclosed to protect the identities of the children and the homeowner due to the sensitive and sexual nature of the purported crime.
According to the police investigating the crimes, the suspect was recently retained by the homeowner, and the homeowner gave the suspect an office to commence his work. The children were staying in a suite, and on May 22, 2020, the kids discovered an electronic device charging on a power outlet inside their bathroom. Each child assumed the device belonged to the other. The girls looked at the device and noticed the electronic device had a red camera lens inside, and there was a pinhole. The device also had a logo of an eagle on it. The girls searched the item online to determine what it was and found out that the device was a DevineEagle spy camera wall charger.
The family contacted the police, and the police were quoted in the news report that the device was used for "insidious purposes." The police were told that the perpetrator was likely the electronics consultant who had an office on the property because of his knowledge of surveillance equipment. According to the report, when law enforcement removed and looked at the contents of the camera's SIM card, there were nude photos of the girls saved on the SIM card. The camera had a wide-angle lens and was capable of recording the entire room.
The Indian River Shores police set up some video surveillance to record and catch the suspect. Law enforcement placed the spy camera back onto the power outlet, and investigators remained in the next room to watch their video feed of the bathroom. AN hour later, the suspect walked through the bedroom and straight to the girl's bathroom. Law enforcement video recorded and witnessed the suspect pulling out the spy camera from the bathroom wall outlet, and then the suspect left the bathroom. The suspect was placed under arrest while in the office a few minutes later.