A New Jersey high schooler was arrested Tuesday after a camera he allegedly planted inside a mall bathroom was found with footage of dozens of women and four minors using the restroom, officials said.
Andy Cardenas, 18, was hit with a single count of invasion of privacy after a woman made the alarming discovery inside a public restroom inside JC Penney at the Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City, according to the Hudson County prosecutor’s office.
The woman found the hidden device while using the family restroom inside the clothing retail store on Aug. 9 and turned it over to authorities.
Investigators discovered disturbing footage of unsuspecting victims on the device from several different restrooms — including at least two that appeared to be private residential bathrooms.
The camera contained “approximately 35 videos of adult women who were exposed using the restroom, approximately four videos of female minors who were exposed using the restroom, and one video of a male and woman in the restroom together engaging in sexual acts,” according to a criminal complaint obtained by NJ.com.
Importantly, it also captured footage of a man — later identified by investigators as Cardenas — setting up the hidden camera in the JC Penney bathroom. The clip was instrumental in cracking the case and led to his arrest.
Investigators don’t know how long the sick scheme was going on. The footage does not include dates or timestamps, the prosecutor’s office said.
They also don’t know where all of the videos were filmed. The office released images of four unidentified bathrooms to seek the public’s help in identifying where they are located.
Cardenas, of Jersey City, is due back in court on Oct. 22.
