Lowell Man Arrested for Upskirt Photos at Tewksbury Auto Shop

Photo via Police

A Lowell man was arrested after police say he was caught trying to take upskirt photos of a female customer at the Tewksbury auto shop where he worked.

Officers responded to Sooner Lube on Monday upon receiving a report that Todd Mitchell, Jr., 26, had been using his cellphone camera to take photos or video underneath a woman’s dress, police say.

Mitchell was in the pit area of the garage, where a vehicle’s fluids are changed. The woman was called into the garage to review work being done on her car, when she noticed Mitchell’s cell phone in the pit beneath her, police say.

Mitchell was charged with one count of secret sexual surveillance, a fairly new criminal charge created by the Legislature in 2014 to target those who take upskirt photos. If the victim was under 18, Mitchell will face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted. If the victim is over 18, he will face up to 2 1/2 years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 in convicted.

Police did not indicate the woman’s age, or if detectives found photos on Mitchell’s phone. He was arraigned Tuesday and held on $500 bail.

[h/t Lowell Sun]