As if things couldn’t get any worse, it appears you’re not even safe at a coffeeshop. Starbucks goers were in for quite a surprise when a 37-year-old man from Asheville, North Carolina was arrested by police for allegedly recording people in a local Starbucks. But that’s not the worst of it: the man was secretly recording people in the bathroom with a hidden camera.
Now, the news of a middle-aged man placing hidden cameras in the bathrooms of an Asheville, North Carolina Starbucks has been making waves in the community.
William Aycock IV was taken into custody after a thorough investigation conducted by the law enforcement which included forensic technicians and the State Bureau of Investigation.
Aycock IV was charged with two counts of felony secret peeping.
William McAlpin Aycock IV is facing two counts of felony secret peeping after two cameras were found inside both bathrooms at the Starbucks on Hendersonville Road & Lula Street. https://t.co/jtzGXZuh4U
— WLOS (@WLOS_13) September 21, 2023
According to WLOS, it was reported that Mr. Aycock had placed hidden cameras inside two bathrooms at the popular national coffee shop chain in May 2022.
The staff of Starbucks soon discovered these cameras and immediately alerted the authorities who then took control of the situation.
During their investigations, they were able to uncover further evidence after executing a search warrant on Mr. Aycock’s home which eventually led to his arrest and criminal charges being pressed against him.
Asheville Police Department said William Mcalpin Aycock IV, 37, is charged with two counts of felony secret peeping. https://t.co/yh5UJm1mGO
— WPSD Local 6 (@WPSDLocal6) September 21, 2023
The department has now notified those who were unknowingly captured on camera as part of this incident as per WLOS reports.
Mr. Aycock was taken into custody on September 8 at Buncombe County Detention Facility but he was released shortly thereafter with only a “written promise to appear in court”.
This is just another reminder that our right to privacy needs to be respected even while we are out in public spaces such as cafes or stores.
We must take any violation of this right very seriously and expect swift justice for anyone guilty of breaching it.
