A security guard at the Macy’s in Stanford Shopping Center is accused of turning store surveillance into his own private peep show, allegedly spying on young girls and stockpiling hundreds of illegal images, according to authorities. Prosecutors have identified the guard as 20-year-old Bernardo Garcia and say the case centers on hidden cameras that were allegedly positioned to look under or through the clothing of at least two preteen girls. The accusations are now raising uncomfortable questions about how retailers monitor their camera systems and oversee contracted security at one of Silicon Valley’s busiest shopping hubs.
Palo Alto police say the investigation started with a tip, then widened after detectives searched Garcia’s Menlo Park home. There, they seized storage drives and cell phones that investigators say held at least 600 illegal images involving children. Prosecutors told investigators the alleged spying took place on July 4 and 5, 2025, when Garcia is accused of using a hidden camera inside the Macy’s to try to see the underwear of young girls. Garcia is no longer employed at the store, according to reporting by NBC Bay Area.
Macy's response and court timeline
Macy’s, which anchors the upscale Stanford Shopping Center, moved quickly to distance itself from the allegations. In a statement, the company said, "The safety of our customers is always our top priority, and we take matters of this nature extremely seriously." Garcia is scheduled to return to court in June for a plea hearing, according to prosecutors and court records. For now, key details remain under wraps, including how long Garcia worked at the Stanford Shopping Center location and whether additional charges may be on the way, as reported by NBC Bay Area.
Legal stakes
California law treats possession of child sexual abuse material as a serious felony-level offense under certain conditions, and the number of images can matter a lot. Amendments to Penal Code section 311.11 provide that possessing more than 600 images, or certain images involving very young victims, can result in enhanced penalties, including felony sentencing and higher fines. Those details appear in the bill text published by the California Legislature.
What shoppers and parents can do
For shoppers and parents already uneasy about the eyes in the ceiling, law enforcement has some straightforward advice. Anyone who suspects cameras are being misused is urged to report it immediately to store management and local police, and to avoid touching or moving any unfamiliar device.
Police departments across the Bay Area have recently warned about hidden cameras disguised as everyday objects and deceptive tactics such as fake deliveries or sham landscaping visits. Their message is simple: if something feels off, do not handle the device yourself, call it in. As reported by SFGATE, officers say tips from sharp-eyed residents and shoppers are still one of the main ways hidden-camera cases come to light.
