A 23-year-old man was arrested Monday for allegedly inappropriately filming women shopping at a Walmart store off the North Freeway.
Gabriel Silva Valerio is charged with invasive visual recording and he’s been released on a personal bond, records show.
Houston police officers got called to the Walmart at 4412 North Freeway on Monday around 3:30 p.m. when an employee spotted the man walking down an aisle, watching multiple women, and using his cell phone to record videos from a low upwards angle, according to a department spokesperson.
A law enforcement source told KPRC 2 News “many complainants” were involved in the offense but they were “oblivious” to what was going on.
A witness observed Valerio with a hand in his pants while recording the videos and following the women and recording their buttock areas, the source added.
By the time it was realized and police responded, many of the people filmed had since left the Walmart store and didn’t realize they’d been filmed, the source said.
“Once we were aware of the alleged activity, we contacted security and we appreciate their prompt response. The safety and security of our associates and customers is a top priority, and we will continue working closely with local law enforcement as they investigate,” a Walmart spokesperson told KPRC 2 News.
Valerio does not have a criminal history in Harris County, records show, and he’s scheduled to be in court on Wednesday morning.