A 33-year-old employee of the New York Athletic Club has been charged with a felony after police say he planted hidden cameras in restrooms and a locker room at the club's Pelham facility, recording multiple victims including children.
Ryan Mack, of West Nyack, was arraigned Thursday, Aug. 13, in New Rochelle City Court on a charge of second-degree unlawful surveillance, the New Rochelle Police Department announced. The charge is a felony under New York law. The NYAC's Westchester location, known as Travers Island, sits at 31 Shore Road and is frequented by members from Bronxville, Scarsdale and Eastchester.
The investigation began July 5 when NYAC managers discovered a recording device inside the Platform Tennis Hut West Restroom and contacted police. Detectives from the New Rochelle Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office High Tech Unit determined Mack had positioned the camera to record people using the toilet.
A second camera was found in the men's tennis locker room.
Police said footage from the first camera covered June 19, July 4 and July 5. The second camera contained recordings from June 21, July 2 and July 3. Investigators identified several victims from the recordings, including children.
After the cameras were discovered, Mack fled to Kansas. The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped and arrested him outside Topeka in mid-July. The Westchester County Police Department's Warrant Fugitive Unit transported him back to Westchester on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible, police said. The New Rochelle Police Department said investigators are continuing to seek additional potential victims who used the club's tennis facilities this summer.
News 12 Westchester reported the NYAC had not responded to a request for comment as of Aug. 13.
Who should call police: Anyone who used the Platform Tennis Hut West Restroom between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on June 19, July 4 or July 5, or the men's tennis locker room during those hours on June 21, July 2 or July 3, is asked to contact Detective Marisa Bird at (914) 654-2367.
