Florida Man Arrested for Planting Hidden Camera in Cosmetics Store Bathroom

Discovery of Hidden Camera

• 📌 An employee at a cosmetics store in Miami-Dade County discovered a hidden camera disguised as a pen in the women's restroom.
• 💡 The pen camera was found pointed at the toilet, raising immediate concerns about privacy violations.
• ⚠️ The employee confronted the suspect, Bernardo Pellicer-Dorta, who claimed he needed the pen to record everything for his protection.

Suspect's Confession and Justification

• 🎤 Pellicer-Dorta admitted the camera was his and initially claimed it fell out of his pocket.
• 🛡️ He later stated he used the camera to record his work activities to protect himself against false accusations.
• ⚖️ Police informed him that recording individuals in a place where they have an expectation of privacy constitutes video voyeurism, a felony offense.

Investigation and Arrest

• 📹 Footage from the camera and surveillance video allegedly showed Pellicer-Dorta searching for a place to stash the device.
• 🚔 Officers reviewed the evidence, including the camera's contents and Pellicer-Dorta's statements.
• 🚨 Based on the evidence and his admissions, Bernardo Pellicer-Dorta was arrested.

Legal Ramifications

• 📝 Police are required to write a report, and the incident could lead to an arrest.
• ⚖️ Pellicer-Dorta was booked for battery and two counts of video voyeurism.
• 🗓️ He is expected back in court in the summer.

Employee's Reaction and Store Manager's Response

• 😠 The employee who found the camera expressed shock and anger, refusing to give the pen back to the suspect.
• 🗣️ The store manager, alerted to the situation, arrived and spoke with the police and the suspect.
• 😥 Pellicer-Dorta expressed concern about how an arrest would affect his permanent residency and potential citizenship application.