Scott Shankster, 45, of Sanibel was arrested Aug. 26 and charged with voyeurism and prowling following a police investigation of a suspicious male outside a family’s home at nighttime.
Shankster was allegedly crouched in some bushes within sight of a juvenile female’s bedroom window, when he was startled by the outside motion lights. The homeowner confronted the suspicious man in the yard before calling police.
The man had left the area before police arrived and Shankster was later identified through the investigation. He pleaded not guilty Sept. 9 to first-degree voyeurism (a first offence) and second-degree loitering or prowling, both misdemeanors. His next court date was set for Sept. 26. If convicted of both charges, he could face a little more than a year in jail and up to $1,500 in fines.
Bowman’s Beach Voyeur Investigation Update
Police announced Friday they have identified 22 of the 55 victims who were secretly recorded July 28 in the family restroom at Bowman’s Beach Park. And they are continuing to work on identifying as many of the remaining victims as possible.
Two recording devices were discovered in the family restrooms and found to have captured more than 270 videos running on a continuous loop in five-minute increments, resulting in 55 total victims in one day. Police said some of the victims appear in more than one video clip.
And there are numerous video clips of an empty bathroom, as well as several clips at the end of the time period in question showing police at the start of their investigation.
In addition to the video clips, police are using video surveillance footage from outside the restroom area to aid the investigation and identification of victims. Anyone who used the facility on July 28 is asked to call Detective John Eicher at 239-472-3111.
Dana Caruso, 58, was arrested Aug. 19 and faces multiple charges of video voyeurism. He was released last week on $140,000 bond and ordered to wear a GPS tracking device.
Although Caruso was on the island for nine days in July, police say they only have evidence of criminal activity on July 28.
Minor Vehicle Crash & Animal Reports
Officers responded to a single moped crash with injuries Monday, Sept. 15 in the 4200 block of Sanibel Captiva Road. Laurie Cataldo lost control of the moped while negotiating a left curve. She was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital for further treatment of her injuries.
A dozen small iguanas were reported Saturday, Sept. 10 on the Shared Use Path in the 200 block of Periwinkle Way, on the east end of the island.
A coyote was reported Monday, Sept. 12 in the area of Whitehall Road.
A coyote was reported Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the area of Sand Castle and Bailey roads.
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