Virginia

Shoppers May Have Been Filmed in Fitting Rooms at 4 Northern Virginia Shopping Centers, Police Say

A 39-year-old man is accused of using a tiny camera to film more than 60 women and girls in fitting rooms

If you shopped at four stores in four Northern Virginia shopping centers in the 10 days before Christmas, police want to hear from you. 

Amid an ongoing investigation into hidden cameras in store fitting rooms, Fairfax County police said Monday that they're expanding their search for dozens of victims. 

Police want to hear from you if you shopped at Forever 21, Gap, H&M or Old Navy between Dec. 15 and 24 at Fair Lakes Promenade, Fair Oaks Mall, Springfield Town Center or Tysons Corner Center.

Gap stores and Springfield Town Center are new to the list of places where police say secret recordings could have been made. 

Mumtaz Rauf, 39, is accused of using tiny cameras to film at least 60 women and girls in store fitting rooms, police said last week. He was arrested on Christmas Eve after a young woman saw a black device pointing down from the wall of her dressing room.

Many of the victims are young girls recorded in states of undress with their mothers, police said.

"This is a massive case," Col. Edwin Roessler Jr. said at a news conference.

Rauf was arrested on Dec. 24 and charged with unlawful filming of a minor, which is a felony because of the victim's age.

The victim was inside the Forever 21 store at about 4 p.m. when she saw an unfamiliar device in her fitting room. 

"This young lady, on Christmas Eve, saw something that didn't seem right and took the right step," Maj. Ed O'Carroll said. 

The girl told police she believed photos may have been taken of her. 

A store employee then saw a man leave the store. Officers later found the suspect inside a dressing room of the H&M store. 

Both stores are known for having young customers. 

Officers found a pinhole camera, black tape and a battery-powered Bluetooth transmitter in Rauf's possession. Investigators believe he was using the transmitter to remotely gather video and photos. 

Police are investigating whether the images were shared or put online. 

Robbie Stark, the general manager of the Fair Oaks Mall, said mall officials and store employees are keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Mall officials are working to educate employees and make sure they're in touch with police, Stark said. 

Rauf is being held pending trial. It's unclear whether he has an attorney who could comment.

If you think you may have been a victim of illegal filming, call police at 703-246-4600, text police at 703-718-5806 or email the police task force.

Spanish-speaking call takers are available. Accommodations for other languages can be made upon request. 

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