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A man from Pompano Beach stands accused of installing hidden cameras in gym bathrooms across South Florida in order to watch men for his own “personal pleasure.”
Bernando Santiago Lopez, 30, was arrested and charged with video voyeurism earlier this month. Authorities in Broward have indicated that additional charges are likely.
The allegations go back to September 12 when a YouFit Gym location in Deerfield Beach contacted the Broward Sheriff’s Office about a hidden camera found in the men’s accessible bathroom.
According to BSO, the camera was concealed inside a drain cover under the sink and was aimed at the toilet. A manager informed other locations about the discovery and instructed them to inspect all of the men’s and women’s bathroom stalls.
In a statement to the Miami Herald, Allison Rand, YouFit’s vice president of marketing, said staff promptly removed the cameras, contacted law enforcement, and are cooperating in the investigations.
Rand also mentioned that Santiago Lopez will not be allowed to rejoin any of YouFit’s gyms.
“We value the privacy of our members and we are thankful for the support of the Broward County Sheriff and Boynton Beach Police Dept,” Rand said in the statement.
Multiple hidden cameras were discovered in the same position at YouFit gym locations in Boynton Beach and Davie, according to police.
Early in the investigation, Boynton Beach detectives informed BSO that an individual using the name “Santiago Lopez” had visited the different gym locations where the cameras were found. In late September, BSO confirmed that the same person had visited locations in Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach, Davie, and Miami within a two-month period.
On October 17, BSO reviewed the footage and found that at least 50 men were recorded without their consent. Some of the recorded individuals, police say, may be minors between the ages of 14 to 17.
In early November, the Boynton Beach police issued an arrest warrant for Santiago Lopez. Officers from BSO apprehended him on the out-of-county warrant.
During an interview with investigators, Santiago Lopez confessed to setting up the cameras. He stated that he was curious and wanted to see exposed men “for his personal pleasure,” according to police.
Investigators were able to locate several of the recorded men, and they indicated that they were not aware of the presence of the camera.
Santiago Lopez is currently in custody at the Broward main jail without bond due to the Palm Beach warrant. The bond amount for the Broward charge is set at US$25,000. – Miami Herald/Tribune News Service
