Peeping Tom caught in Macy's

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police said a St. Edward's University police officer was caught on camera shooting video of women in the dressing rooms of a popular department store at Barton Creek Square Mall.

Now, police said there could be numerous victims who were recorded while trying on clothes and they never knew. Brandon Jason Gilroy, 23, has been arrested for the crime, and police said he admitted going into the Macy's dressing room to shoot the videos on his cell phone.

Gilroy had been a police officer at St. Edwards University for the last seven months. He resigned Friday, three days after being arrested.

Austin Police are posting flyers at the school and at Barton Creek Square Mall, hoping to hear from anyone who may have seen Gilroy acting suspiciously or could have been recorded changing their clothes.

"It makes me nervous," said St. Edward’s University student Lupita Hinojosa.

The arrest of the former university police officer also upset staff.

"Clearly very disturbing," said Mischelle Diaz, communications director at St. Edward's University. "It's a disturbing situation for the university."

The crime is raising several questions.

"I don't feel protected now. What if there are cameras in our dressing rooms or our door rooms or our showers," wonders Hinojosa.

Qiuana Lopez often shops in the juniors section at the Macy's at Barton Creek Square and was surprised to hear about the allegations.

"I wonder how did he get into women's dressing room areas," she asked.

Walking into the the junior's fitting rooms at Macy's after the arrest, there was no attendant.

Austin police commander Julie O'Brien said she believes Gilroy was "in the process of perfecting his mode of operation when he was caught."

Gilroy is accused of propping his cell phone up against one of his shoes so that the camera lens was angled upward and shooting video of woman changing.

"It's kind of scary and I wonder what he's actually doing with it," Lopez said.

Austin police searched Gilroy's cell phone and computers. They found two videos of women changing but do not have any proof he uploaded the videos online or shot any video on the St. Edward's University campus.

APD was tipped off after a Macy's employee caught Gilroy on surveillance camera going into the fitting room Tuesday. Commander O'Brien added, Gilroy had been seen entering the same fitting room on previous occasions.

The incident has Lopez rethinking how she shops.

"I'd rather that than letting someone have access to my body," Lopez said.

The charges also have some students questioning the university's hiring process.

"It makes me think about the security at St. Edwards"” Hinojosa said. "He's supposed to be the one guiding the students and protecting us and instead he’s doing this."

Diaz said Gilroy passed both a criminal and psychological background check.

Meanwhile, the APD special investigations unit wants to hear from anyone who may have seen Gilroy at Barton Creek Square Mall between Jan. 28 and Feb. 9. They ask people to call (512) 974-6840.

Macy’s and Barton Creek Square representatives declined requests for interviews.