Police in Irving, Texas, have publicly announced an arrest in a case involving the secret recording of people inside a store, using a morning press conference to detail the charges and to appeal for anyone else affected. According to the account, the department described the case as an invasive visual recording arrest, a category of offense that centers on covertly filming people without their knowledge or consent.
The investigation traces back to an incident reported earlier in the summer. According to the account, on June 3rd, 2026, officers responded to the 7700 block of North MacArthur Boulevard in reference to a suspicious male who was recording females in the bathroom and dressing room of a store in the area, prompting detectives to begin working the case.
That inquiry eventually led investigators to a named suspect. According to the account, the investigation resulted in the identification of 19-year-old Macarius Javon Bates, who was arrested on June 26th on multiple counts of invasive visual recording as the department moved to bring formal charges over the alleged conduct.
Detectives said the digital evidence in the case was substantial. According to the account, officers found about 300 illicit videos on the suspect's phone and recovered additional electronic evidence during the investigation, while noting that the suspect had entered the location several different times rather than on a single occasion.
Police also raised the possibility that the activity was not confined to a single store. According to the account, detectives believe similar recording could have occurred across the shopping areas stretching along the 7500 to 7800 block of North MacArthur Boulevard, widening the scope of who might have been affected by the alleged filming.
A central part of the announcement was a direct appeal to potential victims. According to the account, officers urged anyone who believes they may have encountered the suspect or that their privacy may have been invaded to come forward and contact the detective handling the case, and they provided a phone number and an option for anonymous tips.
Officers acknowledged that people may feel hesitant to report such an experience. According to the account, the department said it understood the situation could be embarrassing but stressed that its priority was to secure justice for those affected, adding that it works to protect victims by not releasing their information as the case proceeds.