Police in Chesco on alert for up-skirt photographers

Police in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, are asking for the public's help in identifying several men who tried to take pictures or video images up the skirts of women who were shopping this summer.

"The fact that we have three incidents in two months is disturbing," Detective Scott Pezick said. "And these are just the ones we know about. We are asking women to be aware of their surroundings."

On July 2, a woman was trying on clothes at the Habitat store at Exton Square Mall when she noticed a cellphone extending from beneath the fitting-room door.

Police said she confronted a man who fled. He was described as black, less than 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and in his mid-20s.

On July 27, a woman was shopping at the Marshall's store in Exton when she felt something brush her leg. She looked down and saw a man holding a cellphone camera under her skirt, police said.

The man who fled was described as black, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with a slim build.

On Aug. 26, a woman was checking out purchases at the cash register in the Bed, Bath & Beyond store in Exton when she saw a man squatting nearby with a video camera aimed up her skirt.

Police said she yelled and the man ran out of the store. He was described as black, about 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and weighing about 220 pounds.

Taking pictures or video images of a person without consent is invasion of privacy, a second-degree misdemeanor under the criminal code, Pezick said. The penalty generally depends on the offender's criminal history, if any.

Police believe they have video surveillance images of the perpetrators. Pezick said anyone with information can contact West Whiteland Township police at 610-363-0200 or 610-692-5100.

Anyone who notices odd behavior while shopping should call 911, he said.