Local News

Man Accused Of Videotaping Up Women's Skirts

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS) ― Police in northwest suburban Arlington Heights had a warning Tuesday for women who attended two popular Independence Day events.

CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports that those women may have been victims of illegal taping and not even know it.

Investigators said a man took numerous pictures under the skirts of unsuspecting women on July 4 at two different events Arlington Heights. So far, they have identified one victim, but several others – possibly hundreds – are still out there.

Timothy Hoeppner, 47, was free on bond Tuesday night, but Arlington Heights police said he's facing at least one count of unauthorized videotaping.

Investigators said the crime took place at Arlington Heights' annual Frontier Days Festival. Plain clothes police officers caught Hoeppner after a man told them Hoeppner was trying to photograph his wife without her knowledge or permission.

Arlington Heights Police Sgt. Tom Seleski said, "he identified the individual to them and they started following him and observed him bending down like he was going to adjust his shoes, and when they looked closer, they saw he had a camera, a small digital camera in his hand and he was attempting to photograph up another woman's skirt."

The officers arrested Hoeppner and took him back to the station. During questioning, he told investigators this wasn't the first time he had done this.

"He admitted to basically doing the same thing during the July Fourth parade in Arlington Heights."

Seleski said investigators were looking at Hoeppner's computer and camera to see if they can identify any victims.

CBS 2 News tried to talk to Hoeppner about the allegations, but a woman – later identified as his wife by neighbors – simply shut the door.

While the Hoeppners had nothing to say about the case, many enjoying the park where the alleged crimes took place did.

Christine Huene said, "It bothers me because my niece and her daughters were at the fair."

Cindy Barba said, "I think it's terrible that someone would take pictures under skirts especially since a lot of people in parades are teenagers."

Cathy Dulski said, "How scary for all women to be walking around. Do we always have to watch everything we do and what we wear so that perverts like that can't, can't get at us? It's very scary."

Police said if more victims are identified, Hoeppner could face more charges.

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