FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Police have opened an investigation after discovering hidden cameras inside public bathrooms in a Virginia restaurant.
Cameras were found inside two public restrooms at Northside Social on Park Avenue in Falls Church.
On May 11, a customer noticed a pen-like device hidden under the sink that was facing the toilet inside one of the restaurant's first-floor restrooms. That customer turned the device over to an employee.
Det. Jesse Ortiz told WUSA9 the woman was actively searching for something suspicious after reading a post on Instagram that recommended people to be on the lookout for cameras in public restrooms.
"She went and notified the business, they took the camera and checked the bathroom beside it and found the exact same pen in the other bathroom," Ortiz said. "It's definitely a fortunate coincidence."
"There's a plastic covering on the pipes of the sink," he added. "It was just placed in like a regular pen that you would put in the end of a paper or notebook. It was just hanging that way."
Police were made aware of the devices on May 13. Officers responded to the restaurant at that time to investigate and recover the devices.
Detectives say the hidden devices included cameras, both of which had recordings of people using the restroom on them. Ortiz doesn't believe the footage was only contained in the device and not connected to the internet.
"I'm horrified," a Northside Social customer told WUSA9. "I think it just raises much more awareness and diligence with me and my family every time we're using public facilities. Everybody is just going about their daily lives and we shouldn't have to worry about such things."
Police say the footage was recorded on Saturday, May 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Anyone who may be a victim and was illegally recorded is asked to contact the City of Falls Church Police at investigations@fallschurchva.gov.
Ortiz said they haven't ruled out of it was a customer or employee.
Liberty Restaurant Group issued a statement in response to the devices being found in one of their restaurant's, "We are very upset that someone would enter one of our restaurants and seek to violate the privacy of our patrons and staff. We will continue to assist law enforcement in any way we can. The security of our patrons and staff is our first priority."
Pen-like device with hidden cameras
"It's disappointing that this is the society that we live in today," another customer said. "In terms of the owners, I don't feel they have a real responsibility or accountability, in my view, because how are they expected to control that? How can they know if a patron is going to do that?"
As the investigation into the hidden cameras continues, police urge business owners and their customers to be alert and on the lookout for similar devices.
Here are the tips they give:
- Pay attention to unusual objects that seem out of place, like smoke detectors with tiny pinholes, fake air fresheners, or decoy objects with unusual shapes that could conceal a camera.
- Check common hiding spots like power outlets, tissue boxes, or underneath tables and sinks.
- In low-light conditions, look for small red or green LEDs that might indicate a camera operating in night vision mode.
- Use your phone’s flashlight function to scan for reflections from concealed camera lenses sometimes hidden in outlets, clocks, and smoke detectors.
If you suspect a hidden camera in a public space, prioritize your safety and privacy first by discreetly leaving the area and then report your concerns to the City of Falls Church Police Department by calling the police non-emergency number at 703-241-5053.
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