Man accused of filming under bathroom stalls at Arrowhead Mall
GLENDALE, AZ Feb 17 2019 Glendale police say a Swiss man has been arrested for voyeurism after he was allegedly caught filming people under the stalls in bathroom at a west Valley mall.
Police say may have filmed up to 18 people, including a boy under the age of 11.
On Feb. 10, Glendale police were called to the food court restrooms at Arrowhead mall near 75th Avenue and Bell Road.
When officers arrived, they found the suspect, 54-year-old Rolf Meier, being held down by an off-duty Phoenix Police officer and mall security.
The off-duty officer told police he was in a bathroom stall when he saw a camcorder come under the divider.
He said he kicked the camera, left the stall and waited for Meier to come out.
A few minutes later, the off-duty officer was was able to detain Meier until mall security arrived.
Meier was handcuffed and held there until Glendale officers arrived at the scene.
Police said when they reviewed the footage from the camcorder, they found video of approximately 18 males. It appeared all the footage was recorded at Arrowhead Towne Center.
Police say Meier, who is a citizen of Switzerland, comes to Arizona each year for 88 days. He keeps a home near Litchfield and Bell roads in Surprise.
When police searched his home, they reportedly found “several SD card devices, two camcorders, and burnable DVDs.”
Police are still investigating the contents of these materials.
When interviewed by police, Meier reportedly said “he did not think it was a big deal because the people he was filming did not know he was doing it,” according to the police report.
“He figured if he didn’t know who they were, and they did not know who he was, it was not a big deal,” according to the police report.
He also said at first that he had only done it once, but later admitted he had filmed others.
He also said that he thought police would give him a warning and he would be released.
Meier has been charged with voyeurism. Glendale Police says sexual exploitation of a minor charges will be added for filming the minor victim.
He is being held on a $75,000 cash bond.
3TV/CBS
