ST. PETERS, Mo. – A Troy, Missouri, man is behind bars, accused of secretly photographing women in dressing rooms at a Mid Rivers Mall.
Bryan Roberts, 47, is facing charge was arrested Wednesday and faces two invasion of privacy charges from the Chesterfield Police Department. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, Roberts is also charged with felony Possession of Child Pornography in Lincoln County. In November, close to 100 images of child pornography were allegedly found on his computer.
There are images of at least 23 women in dressing rooms at Mid Rivers Mall on Roberts phone, according to St. Peters police, but only 3 have been identified.
Roberts was also arrested in Chesterfield for a similar incident this week.
Shopper Angela Harris was not shocked to hear about Roberts alleged crime. She says women often let their guard down at the mall.
"You're busy, you're shopping, talking with your girlfriends, you're not paying attention," said Harris.
Police say Roberts counted on those distractions, when he found a way to allegedly spy on unsuspecting women in various mall dressing rooms.
Police say Roberts cut a hole in a shopping bag, taped his cell phone in that bag and placed it in front of a dressing room. That's how he was able to capture at least one of his 20-or-more victims.
"It is a little shocking, especially coming from this mall, being such a family oriented mall. Personally for me, i don't try anything on, just for that reason," said Brittany Lynch, a Mall employee.
"It makes me scared for my daughter who is 16. It makes me more scared for the younger girls who may not know how to handle the situation," said Harris.
While mall officials declined to comment, Police say Roberts was careful about which stores he chose.
"It appears that these were the dressing rooms out in the open, on the sales floor," said Officer Melissa Doss, with the St. Peters Police Department.
The news of Robert's crimes now has some shoppers more concerned about your privacy.
"I personally always look around, even if I am in a fitting room, just under the doors, on the walls, because you just never know these days unfortunately," said Lynch.
The photos from Mid Rivers Mall were taken between Dec. 26 and Jan. 8 in a variety of stores.
If you feel you may have been a victim, call the St. Peters Police Department and ask for Detective Matt Halter at 636-278-2244, ext 3546.
Photos: St. Louis Area Mug Shots
