Irving, Texas — A 19-year-old man has been arrested after investigators say he admitted to secretly recording women inside store restrooms and dressing rooms at multiple retail locations in the Irving area, prompting police to search for additional victims.
According to the Irving Police Department, Makarious Jevonne Bates was arrested on June 26 and is facing multiple counts of invasive visual recording following an investigation that uncovered hundreds of alleged recordings on his cellphone.
Police say the investigation remains active as detectives work to identify women who may have been unknowingly recorded.
Investigation Began After Multiple Complaints
Authorities said the investigation started on June 3 after officers responded to reports of a man allegedly photographing and recording women inside a restroom and dressing room at a business in the 7700 block of North MacArthur Boulevard.
Store employees told investigators the same unidentified man had allegedly engaged in similar behavior on several previous occasions.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, another incident was reported on June 27 at a TJ Maxx store on North MacArthur Boulevard after employees were alerted by a customer and her daughter, who believed a man had taken photos of them inside the women’s restroom.
Roughly 40 minutes later, the same man allegedly returned to the store wearing the same clothing.
Employee Reportedly Discovered Phone Under Stall
Police said one employee became alarmed after entering the restroom and speaking with another worker who appeared visibly upset.
According to investigators, the employee told officers she was using the restroom when she looked down and allegedly saw a man’s hand holding a cellphone underneath the bathroom stall, with the device appearing to record video.
A loss prevention officer later provided police with the suspect’s license plate number and informed investigators that similar incidents had reportedly occurred at the store on April 12 and June 1.
Police Say Hundreds of Images Were Found
Using the license plate information, investigators identified Bates as the vehicle’s registered owner.
Police said surveillance footage, body camera video from a previous traffic stop and Flock camera data helped connect the suspect to the reported incidents.
After Bates was arrested on an unrelated offense, investigators obtained a search warrant for his cellphone.
According to police, forensic investigators discovered more than 290 images and videos depicting women in department stores, dressing rooms and bathrooms.
Authorities said some of the files contained metadata indicating when and where the recordings were made, helping investigators identify possible victims.
One video reportedly showed a store employee using a restroom at a business on Forest Lane in Dallas. Police contacted the woman, who told investigators she had been unaware she was allegedly recorded and agreed to pursue criminal charges.
Suspect Allegedly Admitted to Recordings
Following additional investigation, police obtained an arrest warrant for Bates on June 25.
The following day, investigators went to a Kroger store on North MacArthur Boulevard, where Bates was believed to be working.
Officials said they learned he had previously been fired from another Kroger location after allegedly being captured on surveillance video recording another victim inside a restroom. That woman also provided a written statement and agreed to press charges.
Police said Bates was arrested later that day and admitted to recording the photos and videos recovered from his cellphone.
He has since been charged with multiple counts of invasive visual recording and has been released on bond.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and believe additional victims may still need to be identified. Bates’ guilt or innocence will ultimately be determined through the court process, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.
Do you think stores should increase security around restrooms and dressing rooms to help prevent privacy crimes like this? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
