Home All Personal Security Alert: Cell Phone Camera in Unisex Bathroom at Starbucks

Personal Security Alert: Cell Phone Camera in Unisex Bathroom at Starbucks

July 10, 2015

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I am posting this story since, frankly, it was a new one for me. Many of these smaller business such as coffee shops have small unisex bathrooms. But people can and do spend considerable time in these establishments. Drinking coffee. Working on computers. Younger people doing school work. Open carry advocates carrying Hi-Point rifles.

You get what I’m saying.

Well…it would be very easy for someone to mount a cell phone under the sink in such bathroom configurations. And then pass the time sitting in a chair working on a computer. Maybe even be connected to the device remotely. After an hour or two of grabbing video, walk in bathroom and remove device and evidence anything was amiss.

: Camera Under Sink

The night crews wouldn’t see it while cleaning. Service companies and vendors don’t usually operate during open hours. It’s almost the perfect, dirtbag crime. I’m sure many of you are not surprised by this. But I’m not one of the “cool kids” who frequents such establishments, so it caught me by surprise. Figure it might be of news to you as well.

: Starbucks Camera Scam

: Perp Mounted Camera Using Papertowls

So going forward, I will always open the tank on the backs of toilets in hotels. And check under sinks in unisex restrooms.

Marky

www.tacticaltshirts.com

“Shooting Guns & Having Fun”

KTLA

Mom Horrified After 5-Year-Old Son Finds Hidden Camera in Starbucks Bathroom in Lancaster

Sheriff’s deputies in Lancaster were investigating the discovery of a hidden cellphone camera recording video inside the ladies bathroom at a Starbucks in Lancaster on Thursday.

A woman, who asked not to be identified, told KTLA that her 5-year-old son made the discovery around 10:30 a.m. at a Starbucks near Avenue K and 10th Street West.

“My son used the restroom first and I used the restroom after him,” she said. “I noticed he was staring at the sink a little bit perplexed. I asked him what was wrong and he said, ‘Mommy, why is there a phone under there?’”

When she looked under the sink, the woman saw a cell phone propped up by paper towels with the camera pointing toward the toilet.

She immediately notified employees who contacted the sheriff’s department.

“The deputies discovered that the cellphone was running in a video-recording motion,” said Lt. Joseph Fender with the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

“It’s such a violation of privacy,” the victim said. “Not only of mine, but my son.”

It was not clear where the video was being sent or how long the phone may have been recording.

“They were able to get some type of surveillance video from the location, however I don’t know what the contents of the video are at this time,” Fender said.

Starbucks spokesman Jaime Riley reached out to KTLA saying, “We are disturbed by this incident and take our obligation to provide a safe environment for our customers and partners (employees) very seriously. Our store partners took swift action as soon as they became aware of the incident by immediately alerting the Sheriff’s Department of the situation.”