A 23-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested after police said he secretly photographed women beneath their clothing at Burbank’s sprawling Empire Center. Detectives have identified two alleged victims so far, and investigators say they suspect there may be more.
Emmanuel McCarthy was taken into custody Sunday after the alleged conduct was reported around 6:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of North Victory Place, according to KTLA. The alleged behavior is sometimes referred to as “upskirting,” a term used for secretly photographing or recording beneath someone’s clothing.
Police Say More Alleged Victims May Be Out There
Burbank investigators identified two women, ages 25 and 26, as alleged victims in the case. The investigation remains active, and detectives believe additional shoppers may have been targeted.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burbank Police Department’s Investigation Division at 818-238-3210, according to the Burbank Police Department.
City Attorney Files Two Misdemeanor Counts
The case was submitted to the Burbank City Attorney’s Office, which filed two misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy, KTLA reported. McCarthy was booked Sunday on suspicion of invasion of privacy, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
California law generally treats certain nonconsensual recordings made under or through a person’s clothing as a misdemeanor when they are intended to invade privacy. The California Legislature says the statute can apply when the person being recorded does not know about or consent to the conduct and has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
