Sanibel Police Chief William Dalton announced today the arrest of Dana Alan Caruso of New Hampshire, who has been under investigation for video voyeurism at the Bowman’s Beach Park since July 28. As a result of the investigation and the coordinated assistance of several other agencies, Caruso was arrested Friday, Aug. 19 in Chicago, Ill., and is awaiting extradition to Lee County.
On July 28, employees with Sanibel’s Public Works Department noticed a new fire alarm device had been installed on the wall of the family restroom located at Bowman’s Beach Park. After verifying the device had not been installed by staff in the Public Works Department, the Sanibel Police Department was notified.
Officers responded and initiated an investigation. They verified the device was not a fire alarm and suspected it could contain a video recording device. The Sanibel Police Department obtained a search warrant to check the contents of the device and discovered it contained a video camera.
Images of the device installed by the suspect are shown in police photos
After further investigation, officers were able to identify a suspect who may have installed the unauthorized video recording device. The police notified other law enforcement departments in Southwest Florida so restrooms and changing areas in other jurisdictions could be checked for similar devices.
An arrest warrant was secured Aug. 9 for the suspect and the Sanibel Police Department coordinated with other jurisdictions in Florida to locate him. Law enforcement officers arrested 58-year-old Caruso Friday, Aug. 19 in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The arrest warrant lists several felony and misdemeanor charges for Caruso. The Sanibel Police Department is working with other members of the law enforcement community to facilitate extradition and prosecution in this case.
The information concerning this crime was not released earlier to prevent the police investigation from being compromised. “The suspect was thought to be moving through various communities in Florida, and our detective was working through the leads quickly with the help of the State Attorney’s Office and the Lee County Sheriff,” said Chief Dalton. “We had to stay focused on the investigation until he was apprehended.”
Sanibel Police have learned that several beach patrons were recorded while using the family restrooms July 28 at Bowman’s Beach Park. Chief Dalton is asking residents and patrons who may have used the family restrooms on that date to contact his staff.
“The person who installed this video camera to capture unsuspecting patrons using the family restroom will be brought to justice,” said Chief Dalton. “I ask that anyone who used the family restroom facilities at Bowman’s Beach Park on July 28 to contact Detective John Eicher by calling 239-472-3111. We would like to identify victims of this crime so additional charges against the suspect can considered.”
The Sanibel Police Department said in its statement the assistance it has received to date has been greatly appreciated:
• Carmine Marceno – Lee County Sheriff – Real Time Intelligence Center
• Amira D. Fox – State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Chicago Police Department
• U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force
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