Police arrested a South Florida handyman on charges that he allegedly installed several hidden cameras inside a home in Hallandale Beach without the residents' knowledge.
50-year-old Pedro Avila was arrested Tuesday in Miami-Dade County and charged with two counts of video voyeurism and two counts of battery.
According to an arrest report, Hallandale Beach Police obtained an arrest warrant for Avila on November 3rd after they discovered he installed the cameras in areas where privacy was expected.
“Cameras were located in the bathroom, bedroom, closets, smoke detector, alarm type of devices and other locations within the residence to record persons in their most intimate situations,” Hallandale Beach Police Captain Pedro Abut said.
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Avila allegedly recorded the residents for his own gratification and used both transmitted images and downloads to get the footage, according to HBPD.
“It’s incredible, throughout the years, never seen such intricate detail taken to obtain people’s video of themselves in intimate positions and private circumstances, so it’s incredible and it shocks the conscience is what it does,” Captain Abut said.
When the residents confronted him, Avila allegedly hit them with his hands and left. He was taken into custody nearly three weeks later by Miami-Dade Police.
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Avila appeared in a Miami-Dade courtroom Wednesday. It is unknown if he was given a bond amount.
Police say Avila worked as a handyman and plumber across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Anyone who believes they were a victim should call their local police department.
“So part of this is to inform the public that if they’ve used Mr. Avila to do any work in their home, please review what work he did,” Abut said.
