Pompano Beach, FL – Bernando Santiago Lopez, a 30-year-old resident of Pompano Beach, has been apprehended on charges of video voyeurism for reportedly setting up concealed cameras in gym bathrooms across South Florida with the intent of satisfying his “personal pleasure.” Authorities in Broward have arrested Lopez, and additional charges are anticipated as the investigation unfolds.
The allegations first surfaced on September 12 when staff at a YouFit Gym in Deerfield Beach alerted the Broward Sheriff’s Office to the discovery of a hidden camera in the men’s accessible bathroom stall. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), the discreetly placed camera was found concealed within a drain cover beneath the sink, directed towards the toilet. Following this discovery, management at the Deerfield Beach location promptly informed other YouFit Gym facilities, instructing them to conduct thorough searches of both men’s and women’s bathroom stalls.
YouFit’s Vice President of Marketing, Allison Rand, released a statement to the Miami Herald affirming the immediate removal of the cameras by staff, the notification of law enforcement, and the commitment to fully cooperate with ongoing investigations. Rand also confirmed that Santiago Lopez is prohibited from rejoining any YouFit gyms. She emphasized the gym’s dedication to member privacy and expressed gratitude for the collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Subsequent searches at other YouFit Gym locations in Boynton Beach and Davie reportedly uncovered several hidden cameras positioned similarly. Early in the investigation, Boynton Beach detectives informed BSO that an individual using the name “Santiago Lopez” was identified at various gym locations where cameras were discovered. BSO later confirmed that this individual had visited YouFit Gym sites in Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach, Davie, and Miami over a two-month period.
Upon reviewing the footage on October 17, BSO identified at least 50 men who were recorded without their consent. Some of the victims, authorities believe, may be minors between the ages of 14 to 17. In early November, Boynton Beach police issued an arrest warrant for Santiago Lopez, leading BSO officers to detain him on the out-of-county warrant.
During a subsequent interview with investigators, Santiago Lopez confessed to installing the cameras, citing curiosity and a desire to view men exposed “for his personal pleasure.” Detectives were able to locate several of the recorded men, who asserted they had no knowledge of the hidden camera.
Bernando Santiago Lopez is currently being held without bond at the Broward main jail due to the outstanding Palm Beach warrant. The bond for the Broward charge has been set at $25,000.
