Upper Keys man arrested for video voyeurism

A 33-year-old Tavernier store clerk was arrested Tuesday night following an investigation after a teenager found a cell phone in a gas station restroom.

Alex Joel Rodriguez was charged with video voyeurism.

The investigation began on Oct. 7 after Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kyle Page was called to the reporting teen’s house about 1:20 a.m. The teen was with her parents when she told Deputy Page that she had been with friends earlier. She stated they stopped at the Circle K, 92720 Overseas Highway, Tavernier at Mile Marker 92. The teen stated she went inside the ladies’ restroom where she washed her hands. She added that she did not disrobe and that she only went to the restroom to wash her hands. The teen retrieved some toilet paper from the dispenser. A cell phone fell out of the dispenser and onto the floor.

The teen took it to the clerk thinking someone may have left it on accident. The teen told Deputy Page that the clerk, later identified as Rodriguez, took the phone abruptly. The teen described the clerk’s behavior as “strange” and “sketchy” when she gave him the phone. Sgt. Orlando Alvarez and Deputies Jamie Miller and Joel Torres went to the Circle K where they found Rodriguez. Deputy Page, the teen and her parents sent to the Circle K. The teen identified Rodriguez as the clerk. She identified the phone he had as the phone she found in the restroom.

Deputies questioned Rodriguez. His story changed several times. He stated it was his phone. He then stated it wasn’t his phone. He stated it wasn’t his phone, but his phone looked similar. He stated he gave the phone that was turned in by the teen to a woman who had claimed it, but he couldn’t provide details of the exchange. Deputy Miller went to the ladies’ restroom while it was vacant and noted that his cell phone fit in the paper dispenser and was able to record video of much of the room. The cell phone in question was taken into evidence. Detective Edward Askins was assigned to investigate further.

A review of security footage showed Rodriguez entering the ladies’ restroom on the day in question with the phone and exiting without it.

Rodriguez was questioned by Detective Edward Askins on Tuesday. Rodriguez admitted to entering the ladies’ restroom on the day in question. He admitted that he placed his personal cell phone in the paper dispenser to record certain female subjects whom he found attractive. Rodriguez stated he would notice them outside first and place his phone in the restroom prior to their entry to the store. Rodriguez stated he had been recording female patrons for several weeks in the hopes that they “would take their clothes off.” Rodriguez stated he only recorded the ladies’ restroom and not the men’s. Rodriguez stated he would erase the content from his phone after viewing it.

Rodriguez was taken to jail.

 

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