Crime & Safety

Police Arrest Suspected 'Peeping Tom'

Police say Columbia man may have also secretly recorded at least two additional women.

A Columbia man has been arrested for secretly videotaping two Ellicott City women in their homes, Howard County police announced Friday.

Police also say Michael Stephen McKenny, 42, of Hickory Ridge Road, may have taped two other women, as well.   

On Thursday, police released video clips that showed a man in the women’s residence. Police said the video was recorded on a camera that he had secretly set up in their home.

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The women had recently discovered the camera and reported it to police, but no suspect was identified after the initial investigation.

After police released the video clips, they said they received numerous tips that led them to McKenny.

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According to evidence obtained by investigators, police say McKenny knew the identities of both women and stole and made a copy of a key to their Montgomery Run Road Condominium, which was why there were no signs of forced entry.

Police would not give more information on McKenny's relationship to the women because they did not want to reveal the women's identities, police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn said. 

During the investigation and through reviewing the videos, police determined that the camera was first set up in one of the victim’s bedrooms in late June. During the next few months, police say he returned to the condo multiple times and moved the camera to record the other woman’s bedroom and bathroom.

Police also saw two other women on the videos in another, unknown residential bathroom. Those women have been identified, and, police said, will be notified of the investigation. Police will continue to investigate the possibility that other people were recorded without their knowledge.

McKenny is being held at the Howard County Detention Center on $100,000 bond. He faces multiple burglary charges as well as visual surveillance with prurient intent and videotaping a person in a private residence without consent. 

Police ask that anyone with information about additional recordings to call 410-313-3200.


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