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Fullerton, CA – An alleged peeping Tom accused of recording a 12-year-old girl inside a park bathroom late last month was apprehended and held down by the girl’s parents until police arrived to take over.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said the incident occurred inside the women’s restroom at Valencia Park on July 23, KTTV reported.
When a 12-year-old girl who was visiting the park with her parents went into the restroom alone, a man allegedly followed her, according to KTLA.
Investigators said he then began recording her.
The girl noticed what he was doing and immediately ran out of the bathroom to her parents and told them what had occurred, KTLA reported.
Her parents confronted the man and ended up restraining him and calling the police.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office identified the man as 33-year-old Jacob Anthony Arriola, KTLA reported.
Investigators said they located a hidden wireless camera during a search of the women’s restroom.
They also allegedly located child pornography on Arriola’s electronic devices, KTLA reported.
He was arrested on a slew of charges, including using a concealed recording device to record someone without their consent, possession of child pornography, placing a concealed camera to secretly videotape someone in partial dress, using a minor in the sale or distribution of obscene matter or production of pornography, and peeping.
Arriola was being held on a $20,000 bail at the Theo Lacy Facility, KTLA reported.
“Pedophiles will stop at nothing to satiate their own indulgences – even brazenly recording a young girl at a public restroom during the day, only a short distance away from parents,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.
“Thankfully, the girl immediately reported what had happened and adults intervened,” Spitzer added. “Protecting our children is paramount to me and to our community and we will do everything we can to hold those accountable who seek to exploit and manipulate kids.”
Arriola faces up to three years in prison if he is convicted of the charges against him.
Investigators said they believe he likely has other victims, KTLA reported.