PEEPING TOM ARRESTED

Hillsborough County deputies arrested a man after he forced his way into a woman’s home and opened her bedroom curtains in order to watch her from outside the window.

On June 5, 2020, Anthony Garcia, 31, forcefully opened the rear sliding glass door of a residence located within the Retreat at Crosstown Apartments in Riverview. Once inside, he entered the victim’s bedroom and opened the window curtains, before running back outside. The victim, who was in the shower, heard someone in her apartment, quickly covered herself and exited the shower. She observed a large male silhouette outside of her bedroom window.

Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office obtained a positive identification of the suspect using fingerprints and obtained an arrest warrant for Garcia. He was arrested and charged with Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling During a State of Emergency and Voyeurism.

“This was a terrifying experience for this victim and we are currently investigating other similar incidents in the same area,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Mr. Garcia matches the description in those incidents and additional charges are pending. We believe we got the man that was violating these residents’ privacy and their peace of mind.”

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or has information about this case is urged to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.

Read more