Man suspected of placing video camera in Hanford Target restroom

Hanford police identified a man who they say on Wednesday hid a video camera under some toilet paper in a family restroom at a Target store.

Capt. Karl Anderson said an employee found the camera and switched it off before police arrived at the Target on 140 N. 12th Ave. The wireless remote camera had a range of about 450 feet.

Police spoke to employees and reviewed surveillance footage to identify a Hispanic man driving a Chevy truck as a suspect. Photos of the man were circulated to other officers, one of whom identified him as Eugenio Ramon Rodriguez, 32, of Hanford, Anderson said Saturday.

Electronic devices were seized during a probation search of Rodriguez’s home, Anderson said. They will be examined by the Kings County District Attorney’s computer forensic unit for additional evidence. Rodriguez doesn’t appear to have kept any photos or videos.

Anderson said Rodriguez gave a voluntary statement and confessed to the crime at Hanford police headquarters. Police recommended a charge of using a concealed camera to view a person’s body in a private room to the district attorney’s office. Additional charges may be filed after investigators finish checking the electronics.

Anderson said the investigation would not have been successful without the cooperation of Target employees.

This story was originally published July 18, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Man suspected of placing video camera in Hanford Target restroom."