Upscale clothier arrested for videotaping customers

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 12/19/03 | Sam Wood

[Holly_P]

The owner of a Camden County boutique has been arrested for taping customers as they undressed in the store's changing room, authorities said today.

Eli Arochas, 49, the proprietor of the Next Contemporary shop at the Ritz Plaza in Voorhees, allegedly set up a hidden videocamera that also recorded audio. The camera was positioned at a hole in the wall in one of three dressing rooms at the upscale women's clothier, said Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi.

Voorhees police began an investigation after a shop patron said that she had heard a clicking noise, which she suspected might have been a camera shutter, while she was in the changing room, Sarubbi said.

Following an investigation, police confiscated several videotapes of more than 60 women in various states of undress, Sarubbi said.

"The tapes were not intended to be used for security purposes," Sarubbi said, "but were soley for the owner's prurient interests."

Arochas, who was arrested Thursday, is charged with one count of harassment, a disorderly persons Offense, and one count of violating the state's wiretapping law, which is a third-degree offense carrying a maximum prison term of five years upon conviction.

Although "technically, it is not illegal to videotape some one in a dressing room in New Jersey," Sarrubi said, it is a crime to tape a private conversation without the consent of the participants. He noted that a bill was working its way through the state Senate that could close the loophole.

Fourteen unidentified women in the tapes are heard having conversations with another person standing outside the changing rooms, Sarubbi said, allowing charges of wiretapping to be filed against Arochas.

Investigators believe Arochas operated the videocamera alone, behind a dressing room wall and focusing on the women through three discreet holes.

There is no indication that Arochas distributed images of the women over the Internet or in print, Sarubbi said. An investigation is continuing. Anyone who used a changing room at the store in the last year is asked to call Voorhees police Lt. Frank Bialecki at 856-627-5858, ext. 114.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact staff writer Sam Wood at 856-779-3838 or at samwood@phillynews.com.

[rmmcdaniell]

If only he didn't add the sound recording equipment.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

"technically, it is not illegal to videotape some one in a dressing room in New Jersey,"

Well that just stinks.

[WackyKat]

The owner of a Camden County boutique has been arrested for taping customers as they undressed in the store's changing room, authorities said today.

How about walking around the mall with a couple of those mini-cams strapped to your shoes?

That's not illegal, is it? ;)

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"technically, it is not illegal to videotape some one in a dressing room in New Jersey,"

But as of Thursday, "distracted driving" is now illegal. Unreal.

And a gay union law passed the legislature by one vote.

McGreedy said he will sign it.

[btcusn]

How about walking around the mall with a couple of those mini-cams strapped to your shoes?

That's not illegal, is it? ;)

Not sure if it's legal, but is definitely hazardous to your health!

Jack

[spectre]

Hmmm...

Something tells me that "Fourteen unidentified women" and their lawyers will soon own an upscale clothing boutique.

[Clinging Bitterly]

A lot of states were behind the times on the videotaping thing, with laws against eavesdropping but not against pictures & video with no sound.

A few years ago it was discovered a Salem area landlord (also a government employee, incidentally), had placed peepholes & video cameras in the attic space of several of his rental units. He was arrested but subsequently released when it was discovered that state laws did not prohibit video peeping, only sound recordings, and his recordings had no sound.

That loophole had been closed, but the new prohibition was still narowly defined and did not preclude things like upskirt shots in public places. It is becoming common for people to use cel phones with cameras for stuff like that, and I think our state legislature outlawed that practice just last year.

[Fledermaus]

I guess it's now illegal to try and stop shoplifting.

If you want the right to privacy, then don't try on the clothes. Besides, what moron doesn't know their size?

Come on.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

BUMP

[Quilla]

I've noticed that in more expensive brands, I wear a size smaller than normal. It's a marketing ploy. Many ladies would pay the extra money just for the satisfaction of fitting into a size 6 rather than a 8.

[Atchafalaya]

Look in the mirror and you will look bigger no matter what the brand.

[hellinahandcart]

I guess it's now illegal to try and stop shoplifting.

He wasn't trying to stop shoplifting.

And I can tell you've never worked in retail, particularly women's apparel. Shoplifters don't rely on the fitting room at all anymore; they can fit half the store under their clothing while you're looking right at them. And the very best ones are men, who wouldn't be in the fitting rooms anyway.

[hellinahandcart]

If you want the right to privacy, then don't try on the clothes.

If they want my money, they'll treat me like a customer and not a criminal.

[Quilla]

Just a stab in the dark, you're not married, are you?

;-)