By: Richard L. Smith
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit has arrested 18-year-old Andy Cardenas of Jersey City after a hidden recording device was discovered in a public restroom at Newport Mall.
Officials said Cardenas faces one count of Invasion of Privacy, a third-degree crime under New Jersey law, after an investigation revealed he allegedly planted the device.
The incident began on August 9, 2024, when an adult female found a black device while using the family restroom on the first floor of JCPenney.
Upon discovery, the Special Victims Unit was notified and took control of the investigation, eventually identifying Cardenas as a person of interest.
Further investigation uncovered multiple electronic files from the recording device, which contained images from several unidentified restrooms.
The Special Victims Unit is now asking the public for assistance in identifying the locations of the restrooms shown in the recovered images.
Police said it remains unclear how long the device had been in use.
Cardenas was arrested on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus.
He was released on a summons and is scheduled to appear in court on October 22, 2024.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and are urging anyone with information related to the case or other potential victims to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at 201-915-1234.
All tips will be treated confidentially.