Sunnyvale public-safety officers are searching for a man accused of secretly recording a woman as she showered inside the women's locker room at a 24 Hour Fitness on Sunnyvale‑Saratoga Road last Saturday. The department says the incident happened around 4 AM and that officers were at the gym gathering witness statements and reviewing security footage. Authorities say the case appears to be an isolated incident, and no suspect has been publicly identified. Investigators are continuing efforts to locate the individual involved.
Police and gym response
According to ABC7, the club's general manager told reporters that staff are cooperating with investigators, while media inquiries are being routed through corporate. The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety confirmed to the station that officers were on scene collecting statements and reviewing camera footage as the probe continues.
Gym-goers react
Members told ABC7 the reported locker-room recording rattled their sense of safety. Sneha Shukla told the station, "I find it super creepy," while Jenna Burkhalter called it "disappointing" that people's privacy was "being infringed on like that." Fitness coach Brandon Lacayo suggested that more staff walking the floor could help deter similar incidents.
State law and penalties
Under California Penal Code 647(j), it is illegal to use a camera or other device to view or record someone in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including bathrooms and changing rooms. The statute allows misdemeanor penalties, including up to six months in county jail and fines, for a first offense, with stiffer penalties for repeat offenses or cases involving minors.
How to report tips
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. The department's non-emergency number is 408-730-7100. Officials say witnesses should preserve any video or photos and share them with investigators to assist the inquiry.
The club
The report places the incident at the Sunnyvale Saratoga 24 Hour Fitness, located at 762 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road, a Super Sport location with locker rooms and pool facilities, according to the club's website. Management told reporters that staff are aware of the situation and cooperating with police, and some members said more active floor checks would be a reasonable precaution.
Past local cases
This is not the only local case of privacy invasion. A hidden camera discovered in a Sunnyvale dental office in 2023 led to arrests and charges, underscoring the seriousness of such intrusions. That earlier probe also involved the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety and highlights why authorities urge prompt reporting.
The Sunnyvale investigation remains active. Police ask anyone who may have seen something around 4 a.m. on May 16 at the Sunnyvale‑Saratoga 24 Hour Fitness to come forward to aid the investigation.
