SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — A 54-year-old Rolling Meadows man has been charged with unauthorized videotaping of a minor after police say he allegedly recorded a boy inside a restroom at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.
The suspect, Samuel Nutt, was arrested after teenage witnesses reportedly noticed his behavior inside the restroom and alerted authorities.
According to the Schaumburg Police Department, officers were called to the suburban Chicago shopping mall at approximately 8:30 p.m. Friday following a report of a suspicious person allegedly recording a child inside a bathroom.
Police allege boy was recorded inside restroom
Authorities allege that Nutt used his personal cellphone to record video and audio of a boy while the child was urinating inside a restroom stall.
Police said the alleged recording was made from a position immediately next to the boy.
The allegations resulted in Nutt being charged with unauthorized videotaping of a minor, a Class 3 felony under Illinois law.
Authorities have not released the identity or other identifying information about the child.
Teen witnesses reportedly intervened
According to police, several teenagers inside the restroom noticed what was happening and confronted Nutt.
The teens reportedly demanded that Nutt hand over his cellphone and kept him at the location until mall security and Schaumburg police arrived.
Officers subsequently arrested Nutt at the mall without incident.
The actions of the teenage witnesses have drawn attention because they reportedly intervened before law enforcement arrived and helped preserve the alleged recording as potential evidence.
Nutt granted pretrial release with conditions
Nutt appeared Monday for a detention hearing at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse.
The court granted him pretrial release subject to conditions, according to the information provided by authorities.
Those conditions reportedly include electronic monitoring, no contact with minors, and a prohibition against entering Woodfield Mall.
Nutt’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 24.
The court’s release decision is not a determination of guilt. Nutt remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until the allegations against him are proven in court.
Police have not identified the minor
Authorities have not released additional information about the child involved in the incident.
Because the alleged victim is a minor, police are withholding identifying details to protect the child’s privacy.
Authorities also have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
Teenage witnesses praised after Woodfield Mall incident
The incident has prompted strong reactions online, particularly toward the teenagers who reportedly intervened.
Many social-media users have praised the witnesses for recognizing the suspicious behavior, confronting Nutt, alerting mall security and remaining at the scene until police arrived.
Their actions could also be significant to the investigation because the cellphone allegedly used during the incident may contain evidence relevant to the case.
However, the precise evidentiary value of any recording will ultimately be determined through the investigation and legal proceedings.
The case remains pending, and additional information could be released as Nutt’s prosecution moves forward.
