WKRG.com » News Stream » Crime »

Hidden Cameras Found In Robertsdale Home

By Pat Peterson

Published: Mon, January 12, 2009 - 5:55 pm Last Updated: Mon, January 12, 2009 - 6:31 pm

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/22570/

A Robertsdale man has arrested after police say he placed hidden cameras inside his home to spy on a juvenile family member. Jerry Bates was charged with production of obscene material, a class "A" felony Sunday. Investigators say Bates hid high-tech and sophisticated cameras inside a family member's bedroom and bathroom. The victim, police say, is a 17-year old girl.

"This type of deal, when you're talking children, it's a very serious offense and we take it very seriously," says Sgt. Rex Bishop of the Robertsdale Police Dept.

Bishop says a family member found the small, hidden camera behind a mirror in the girl's bedroom. Bishop also says cameras were hidden in other parts of the residence and tells News 5 the camera was a wireless unit operated with a remote control.

"It's just a sign of the technology that's out there," says Bishop. "We're seeing more and more of these types of crimes, these people are getting more and more sophisticated where in the old days they may have had to try a hand-held camera."

Bond for Bates was set at 250-thousand dollars. If Bates makes bail, he won't be allowed to have contact with children and will have to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet.