Boy’s mother had used the toilet too, but didn’t notice it.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: Sheriff’s deputies have opened an investigation into the discovery of a hidden cell phone recording video inside the ladies’ bathroom at a Starbucks in Lancaster, California.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, told local news outlet KTLA that she would not have noticed the incognito device if her young son, with his significantly lower line of sight, hadn’t discovered it first.Follow @ambazaarmag
“I noticed he was staring at the sink a little bit perplexed. I asked him what was wrong and he said, ‘Mommy, why is there a phone under there,’†she said. “My skin began to crawl.â€
The cell phone, which was discovered on July 9, was propped up by paper towels to insidiously direct the camera lens toward the toilet.
“It had taken some work to get it to stand the way it was standing, so I could tell it had been placed there purposely,†the victim informed KTLA.
Police disclosed the camera was recording, but it wasn’t clear where the video was being sent or how long the device had been on and active, according to Fox59. Investigators were also unsure what footage the camera captured.
Lt. Joseph Fender of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station said authorities are reviewing surveillance video from the location to identify suspects.
Following the incident, Starbucks released an official statement regarding the severe safety breach: “We are disturbed by this incident and take our obligation to provide a safe environment for our customers and partners (employees) very seriously. Our store partners took swift action as soon as they became aware of the incident by immediately alerting the Sheriff’s Department of the situation.”
Meanwhile, the victim and her son may not feel convinced that any environment is particularly secure in the aftermath of their encounter at the ubiquitous coffee shop.
“It’s such a violation of privacy,†the unnamed woman exclaimed. “It makes me feel like we’re not safe anywhere.â€
This is at least the second privacy-related incident to take place in a Starbucks in recent months, according to USA Today; a man was arrested in Walnut Creek, Calif., in April after twice placing cameras in a Starbucks bathroom.