By Jean Lotus

Staff Reporter

After an investigation lasting several weeks, Oak Park police arrested a 61-year-old man who allegedly filmed up women's skirts at an outdoor festival with a micro-camera attached to his shoe. Police observed Christopher Meyer of the 1100 block of Erie acting suspiciously during the Thursday Night Out celebration in downtown Oak Park the evening of June 20.

"The officers had seen the suspect acting suspiciously around female citizens previously," said Oak Park Commander LaDon Reynolds. Reynolds said police had requested a search warrant of Meyer's residence from the Assistant State's Attorney.

After an investigative stop, officers discovered a mini-camera with USB port disguised as a pen attached to Meyer's shoe. They arrested Meyer in the 1100 block of Westgate around 6 p.m. and executed a search warrant of his residence. According to Reynolds, police found evidence of other videoing instances and a computer showing evidence of videos uploaded to "an adult website."

"We've sent the recovered evidence to be processed by the FBI regional forensics computer laboratory," Reynolds said. He said the investigation is ongoing. Meyer was charged with unauthorized video recording.

According to Illinois statute, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly make a video record or transmit live video of another person under or through their clothing worn for the purpose of viewing the body or undergarments without consent.

In 2003, when Meyer was coach of the Illinois Institute of Technology women's volleyball team, he was arrested at the North Riverside Mall after a security guard allegedly saw him trying to video a woman with a camera hidden in a bag.

He was arrested in 2004 in Oak Park for allegedly making unauthorized videos of women, and was arrested again in 2005 and charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly looking down women's shirts in a public place in Oak Park.

The charge for the June 20 arrest is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison or a fine up to $2,500. For past charges, Meyer has paid a fine and underwent court supervision.

Meyer appeared at the Maybrook Courthouse July 1 where Judge Ann Collins denied a Cook County State's Attorney's motion to increase Meyer's bond from $5,000. He was issued a status hearing date of Aug. 5.