Sycamore police say a 20-year-old McHenry man secretly recorded men in a grocery store restroom on March 1, and that a customer who confronted him helped investigators quickly zero in on a suspect.
According to authorities, the shopper who reported the incident also photographed the man and the vehicle he left in. Investigators say those images were used to identify a suspect, who later cooperated with police and turned himself in after a warrant was issued in late March.
Where police say it happened
Sycamore officers responded to a report of unlawful recording at a Meijer in the 500 block of Peace Road on March 1, according to the Daily Chronicle. The outlet reports that a forensic search of the suspect’s phone recovered three videos from October 2024 showing people using a restroom without their knowledge.
Investigation and arrest
Sycamore police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Jerardo Hernandez Alonzo of McHenry and said he confessed during an interview at his home, as reported by CBS News. Authorities say they then forensically searched Hernandez Alonzo’s phone and found recordings similar to the one reported in Sycamore. An arrest warrant was issued on March 24, and he later turned himself in, was booked, and released with a notice to appear, according to WIFR.
What the charge could mean
Hernandez Alonzo was charged with one count of unauthorized video recording, a Class 4 felony, per court filings cited by Daily Chronicle. Illinois sentencing rules put the typical prison range for a Class 4 felony at one to three years, although judges can adjust sentences based on aggravating or mitigating factors; see the state's sentencing code on Justia.
Sycamore police told WIFR they notified other agencies after finding older recordings and that a separate investigation was opened in that jurisdiction. The case remains pending in DeKalb County while investigators follow up.
