Residents in the Santa Clarita Valley are voicing concern after authorities arrested a man accused of secretly recording videos under girls’ and women’s skirts at a local shopping mall using a camera hidden in his shoe.
Investigators identified the suspect as Stephen Martin, 35, of Canyon Country. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Martin lingering inside the Valencia Town Center mall in July 2025, where he allegedly followed female shoppers.
According to deputies, Martin positioned his foot in a specific way while riding escalators, allowing a shoe-mounted camera to record up the dresses and skirts of his victims.
Shoppers who frequent the mall said the allegations were disturbing, particularly because families and children often gather there.
“I think it’s really nasty, especially because we have a lot of kids here and a play area,” said mall shopper Jade Ge.
“It’s utterly disgusting,” added Anntoinette Hull, another shopper. “It’s just unbelievable to me.”
After a months-long investigation, deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station located Martin and took him into custody on Jan. 16.
A neighbor, who asked to be identified only as “Becky” for safety reasons, told KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell that her husband witnessed the arrest.
“He looked out the window and he saw a bunch of cop cars in front of the house,” she said. “He really couldn’t see what they were doing, but they were obviously searching for something. At one point, they had opened up the [suspect’s] vehicle, looking for something.”
Martin was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for illegally recording women without their consent. He was later released after posting $50,000 bail.
Female neighbors, particularly those with children, said the arrest has left them shaken and more cautious.
“I am kind of nervous and shocked,” Becky said. “Knowing that was what he was arrested for while living here with kids nearby and being a woman myself, it’s very alarming and disturbing.”
Martin is scheduled to appear in court on April 13 at the Santa Clarita Courthouse.