While working part-time job for the Munson Township YMCA in Ohio, Bryan DesGravise made a shocking discovery: a tiny video camera hidden in an men’s room air freshener.
The discovery occurred when DesGravise found an air freshener “propped up on the rail in the handicapped stall.” DesGravise said, “I just knew it didn’t belong,” DesGravise said. If the air freshener was supposed to be there, DesGravise hadn’t noticed it before. Not to mention the fact that if someone was in the stall when the freshener activated, they’d be hit with aerosol.
DesGravise investigated the container and found the camera. When police were alerted, quick detective work led to the arrest of nearby a Mayfield Heights Fire Captain Daniel Serge. Serge is a member of the YMCA.
With the goal of becoming a police officer, DesGravise, who has a degree in criminal justice took the part-time job at the “Y” to earn money and access the gym equipment. He wants to attend the police academy, but said he needed to get in-shape first.
The alleged perpetrator, a 24-year veteran of the Mayfield Heights Fire Department, is in custody. Police tracked down 51-year-old Daniel Serge, searched his home, and arrested him. According to police, DesGravise found the camera 20-minutes after it was placed in the stall.
The police search of Serge’s home launched a second investigation based on their discovery of hidden cameras in Serge’s bathrooms and 500 hours of video footage depicting two boys. video tape dozens of recordings. The police report that the content on those tapes depicted two teen boys, but made no other statement.
Serge has been charged with “pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor,” although the evidence recovered from his home may lead to further investigations. Serge, twice-convicted for drunk driving, is now in violation of his probation resulting from the felony pandering charge.
MSI’s Detectives are trained in the detection and removal of surveillance equipment. If you suspect that someone may be illegally recording you, do not hesitate to contact us for help.
