A 23-year-old employee at an Aeropostale store inside North East Mall has been arrested after police said a hidden camera was discovered inside a dressing room.
Hurst police said officers responded on April 24 to a 911 call reporting a possible concealed camera at the store located at 1101 Melbourne Rd.
Investigators said two young women found a small camera partially hidden in a dressing room. After discovering the device, they removed it from the area, left the store, and contacted the police.
Detectives later examined the camera and determined it contained invasive visual recordings, according to authorities. During the investigation, police identified a suspect as Caleb Leonard, a store employee.
An arrest warrant was issued May 14, and Leonard was taken into custody at his residence without incident, police said. Investigators also executed a search warrant and collected additional evidence.
Leonard, who had been placed on administrative leave following the initial report, was charged with invasive visual recording and tampering with physical evidence.
Police said Leonard was employed by Aeropostale at the time the camera was allegedly placed inside the dressing room.
Catalyst Brands, the parent company of Aeropostale, said in a statement that the employee was suspended after the allegations surfaced and was subsequently terminated.
“We are aware of the arrest of a former associate. Upon learning of the allegations, we immediately suspended the associate and began working with the Hurst Police Department to support their investigation,” the company said, per Fox 4 KDFW. “The safety and security of our customers is always of utmost concern, and we have zero tolerance for behavior that puts anyone visiting our stores at risk.”
Hurst police are asking anyone who believes they may have been recorded in the dressing room or who has additional information to contact the department at 817-788-7166.
