FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Cathedral City Police (760) 770-0300
Issuing Employee: Commander Paul Herrera – 760-770-0308 – pherrera@cathedralcity.gov
Type of Case: Illegal video recording in public bathroom / arrest #1912C-4858
Original Incident Reported: December 23, 2016 / 1200 hrs.
Location of Occurrence: Stater Bros, 69255 Ramon Rd. Cathedral City CA
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name: Jason Pomare
Age: 41
City of Residence: Desert Hot Springs, CA
On 12-23-19, Cathedral City Police Officers responded to Stater Bros in Cathedral City (located at 69255 Ramon Rd.) in reference to a video camera found in their public bathroom. CCPD officers along with Stater Bros. Corporate Security were able to determine that a small, covert camera had been placed inside the bathroom, for the purpose of illegal video monitoring / surveillance. (It is a state crime to record or place a recording device in a public bathroom.)
CCPD Detectives responded and assisted in the investigation. CCPD determined an unidentified adult male placed the recording device in the bathroom and started the process of identifying the unidentified suspect. Through the use of law enforcement resources, the suspect was positively identified as Jason Pomare (41, of Desert Hot Springs, CA).
CCPD Detectives immediately responded to Pomare’s residence (in the 13000 Black of Eliseo Rd in Desert Hot Springs) contacted him and arrested him. CCPD Detectives served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence, which yielded additional items of evidence, linking him to the above described crime in Cathedral City.
Currently, CCPD Detectives are actively working this case and have determined there are other retail and restaurant establishments throughout the Coachella Valley where similar cameras have been utilized – by the suspect – for the purpose of conducting illegal surveillance of adults and children inside public restrooms. The other known businesses are being notified and are cooperating with law enforcement, while the investigation continues.
Pomare has been convicted of sex-crime in the state of California and was previously mandated to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act, per 290 of the California Penal Code. However, his commitment to register has been completed. Pomare was booked at the Riverside Co. Jail in Banning and is currently being held on $1,000,000.00 bail. He is being charged with:
647(L)(1) P.C. – Disorderly conduct – illegal video recording in Public Restroom. 13 misdemeanor counts.
311.11(b) P.C. – Committing the above described crime with a prior conviction for same. Eleven felony counts.
Additional charges will follow as the investigation progresses. Cathedral City Police Detectives are requesting business owners throughout the Coachella Valley check their public-areas (not limited to bathrooms and clothing-changing areas), to verify the safety and confidentiality of their customers, and employees. Please notify your local law enforcement agency within your jurisdiction if you require further assistance or have further investigative information.
Again, at this time, CCPD Detectives are working with Cathedral City businesses and other local law enforcement agencies to complete this sensitive investigation. No further information is being released at this time.
photos of suspect and of camera.