An Ignacio man suspected of taking video up the skirt of a woman at Walmart in Durango has been arrested on suspicion of invasion of privacy for sexual gratification.
Jaime Uriel Flores-Carbajal, 33, was identified by an anonymous tipster who recognized him in surveillance video captured about 4 p.m. May 6 at Walmart. The Durango Police Department distributed screen shots from the security video last week showing the suspect and his pickup truck. The images were published in The Durango Herald and a Crimestoppers flyer.
Flores-Carbajal is suspected of standing next to a woman in the greeting card section at Walmart with a cellphone in his hand, positioned below the woman’s skirt, according to an arrest affidavit.
The woman could see the phone was recording in video mode, she told police. The man left the store in a hurry with two young girls, according to the affidavit.
The anonymous tipster gave police a first name and said he worked as a janitor at Ignacio High School.
On Friday, detectives drove to Flores-Carbajal’s home on Browning Avenue and found a man standing outside who looked similar to the man seen in the security video. They also found a silver Ford F-150 similar to the one that was seen driving away from Walmart, according to an arrest affidavit filed in La Plata County Combined Courts.
Detectives requested assistance from the Ignacio Police Department before making contact with the man. But in the interim, Flores-Carbajal “left in a hurry,” according to two females at the residence.
Detectives went to Ignacio High School and learned Flores-Carbajal had called in sick that day – it happened to be his birthday – and was not at work.
The Southern Ute Police Department stopped Flores-Carbajal on Colorado Highway 172 near the north end of Ignacio town limits.
Flores-Carbajal had a Colorado driver’s license and said he was en route to speak with an attorney.
Detectives asked Flores-Carbajal if he knew why he was being arrested, and he made a reference to a newspaper article, according to the affidavit.
Flores-Carbajal was taken to the Durango Police Department and his cellphone was seized as evidence.
Flores-Carbajal said he is a Mexican National but has “permanent resident” status, according to the affidavit. Detective Bryan Heaton said Monday police confirmed Flores-Carbajal has legal residency in the United States.
The detective said he’s obtaining a search warrant for Flores-Carbajal’s cellphone and will let the public know if he believes other victims may be involved.
Ignacio School District Superintendent Rocco Fuschetto said Flores-Carbajal has been placed on leave. He has worked for the district for 2 or 3 years, and Fuschetto described him as “polite,” “on-time” and “hard-working.”
“He’s been a good employee for us,” Fuschetto said. “... I was shocked when I heard that.”
shane@ durangoherald.com