A California woman is fighting back after she says she caught a man secretly filming her while she changed clothes at a Nordstrom, capturing shocking video of the encounter that has since gone viral.
Sophia Schades was trying on clothes at the Nordstrom inside Cerritos Mall on July 21 when she noticed something disturbing under the partition of the neighboring dressing room: a phone hidden inside a crumpled black shirt on the floor, pointed upward toward her stall.
Schades immediately confronted the man, banging on his door and accusing him of recording her. Video she recorded shows the suspect, wearing a red polo shirt, dark pants, and black boots, emerging and attempting to hide his face behind the same black shirt as he fled the area.
“I know you’re recording me,” Schades can be heard saying in the footage.
Mall security was notified and reportedly told her they would keep an eye on the man. But by the time Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies from the Cerritos station arrived, the unidentified suspect had already left the mall.
Schades filed an official report with authorities. The Cerritos Sheriff’s Department confirmed a detective has been assigned to the case.
In the weeks since the incident, Schades has turned to social media, sharing the video in hopes of identifying the man she describes as a “suspected pervert.” Crowdsourced tips have reportedly produced a potential name, but she is holding off on releasing it publicly until police can verify the information, citing concerns about defamation laws.
“I am not going public with the name yet, as I need to confirm with the police due to defamation laws,” Schades wrote in an update. “Thank you, everyone, for your continued support, help, and kind messages. I couldn’t have done this on my own, and I am beyond grateful for everyone who has helped in any type of way! I promise to give an update once I can confirm that the name I have is the correct one!”
The video circulating online shows the phone partially concealed in the shirt under the stall, a hand adjusting it, and the subsequent confrontation as the man tries to cover his face while walking away.
Cases of individuals using cellphones to secretly record people in dressing rooms have become a recurring problem at retail stores across the country. Victims and law enforcement officials have long warned that these privacy invasions can escalate and that swift action is needed when suspects are caught in the act.
Schades’ decision to film the confrontation and share it publicly has drawn widespread attention and support online, with many praising her quick thinking and courage in the face of an alleged violation of her privacy.
Authorities continue to investigate. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station.
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