Neighbors Upset Long Island Peeping Tom Suspect Freed Due To New Bail Reform Laws
VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There has been a disturbing arrest following charges that a Long Island man was spying on his neighbor as she bathed.
Now, Nassau County police are wondering if there are additional victims, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported Monday.
Paul Cotugno, a 31-year-old from Valley Stream, was arrested after police said he peered into the woman's bathroom window over the weekend and used a cellphone to film her while she was undressed.
Police said Cotugno used a chair to stand on and with cellphone in hand videoed his 25-year-old neighbor as she showered.
The victim reportedly looked up and saw the suspect peering though her bathroom window. She screamed and he fled. The family called 911. Cotugno was found a few minutes later and taken into custody, police said.
"He's in jail now? Oh, released? My god," said Aaron Tamir, the suspect's landlord.
Cotugno was charged with second-degree unlawful surveillance and two counts of third-degree criminal trespass. He entered a not guilty plea and was released on an appearance ticket.
Neighbors said they're not happy with the new bail reform laws that freed him.
"You have released these criminals into our backyards," one woman said.
"What got me upset is that he was released on bail. I just feel for the person, the victim, because she has to know he's right next door and she feels violated. Where was her rights in that?" said Seema Persaud, the victim's neighbor.
Prior to the court appearance on Monday, prosecutors and police said if not for the reforms that went into effect Jan. 1 it is likely the suspect would have been held on bail because one of the charges in this case includes a felony.
"My daughters are upstairs. People on this block really want to find out more about it, and there were other incidents," a woman said.
Police have been canvassing the area to determine if there have been other incidents.
Cotugno is due back in court on Jan. 23.
