Police: Arrest made in case involving taking photos of child in changing room

UPDATE @ 9 p.m. (May 23): An arrest has been made in the voyeurism case that occurred at a local retailer, according to a statement from the Beavercreek Police Department posted to social media.

No other details were available about the arrest police said involved a man who photographed a child in a changing room.

INITIAL REPORT (May 15)

The Beavercreek Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the man they say slid his cell phone under a fitting room to take photographs of a young girl changing at the Greene.

The incident happened at the Old Navy at the Greene on May 4, according to a Beavercreek police report.

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According to the report, the girl went into a fitting room and was trying on a bathing suit when someone stuck a cell phone underneath. The victim kicked the phone and continued getting dressed, but the subject stuck the phone under the curtain again. The victim kicked the phone a second time, according to the report.

Store managers were alerted, who reviewed surveillance video and contacted police.

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The video shows the suspect walk to the clothing section for toddlers and act like he’s shopping, according to the report. He’s then seen aiming his cell phone down the aisle, appearing to take a photo or video of the victim in the bathing suit.

After the victim went back to the fitting room, the surveillance video shows the suspect approach the fitting room and bend down, appearing to put his phone underneath the curtain.

A parent News Center 7’s Molly Koweek spoke to said the incident has her thinking twice about how she shops with her child.

"I would definitely be standing outside her dressing room or inside helping her out, something just to make sure that she is safe at all times,” said Deanna Steinbrunner, who was shopping at the Greene Wednesday morning.

Police said this is a reminder to always be alert with what is going on around you.

“We also want to take this opportunity and advise our followers to please be vigilant and aware of your surroundings when shopping or at any place where folks like this are able to prey upon innocent people,” Beavercreek police said in a Facebook post.

Anyone with information on the person in the surveillance footage is asked to contact Detective Bondy at 937-427-5529, Ext. 252.