Community on edge after peeping Tom captured on camera

HEMET — Sheriff’s officials are searching for a man who was captured on a home surveillance camera peeping through a window into a couple’s bedroom while fondling himself early Monday morning, Jan 21. The peeping Tom was chased off by the victim’s husband, who ran outside to confront the alleged suspect. Although deputies responded to the home and searched the area for the alleged peeper, they were not able to locate the man.

Now worried that the Peeping Tom might return, the victims are hoping that surveillance camera footage which captured the man peering into the couple’s window will lead to the suspect’s identification and apprehension.

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The disturbing incident happened about 4:40 a.m., on Cherrywood Dr., a small cul-de-sac northeast of Acacia Ave. and Columbia St., in an unincorporated area just east of Hemet.

Although the victims have requested to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation or further harassment, they later spoke about the incident with Eddie George of Hemet News. They shared a short clip with George, along with an appeal for information about the man seen in the security footage.

“There is a man that came on my property and was peering in to the windows while we were asleep,” the couple explained this morning, saying their security footage showed that the man “then began fondling himself.”

“I have video of all of this, the homeowner explained. “I want to put him out there, so he can be caught before does this again or hurts someone.”

The victims explained they believed the man lived in the area because he was wearing slippers when he fled after being confronted. Video of the incident appeared to show the man wearing light-colored sweats and a dark hoodie.

“He told my husband he lived around the corner. He pointed in one direction but ran off in another direction,” the woman explained. “Even thought the sheriff came out pretty quick, the guy wasn’t around.”

The victims say they wanted to share their surveillance footage of the incident, because “someone has to know him.”

“Besides, we want to help him get him a ‘date’,” the victims continued. “A court date!”

Anyone with information related to this investigation or who recognizes the alleged suspect is encouraged to contact Riverside Sheriff’s Corporal Foster at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number D19021013 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.