Sherman Oaks Restaurant Owner Hid Cameras In Bathroom: Police

LOS ANGELES, CA — A longtime Sherman Oaks restaurateur was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography after he allegedly placed hidden cameras inside the restroom of his restaurant.

Los Angeles Police Department detectives arrested Bahram Javaherian, 65, after serving a search warrant at the restaurant and his Sherman Oaks home. Detectives are seeking additional victims who may have dined at Cocina Bene and used the women’s restroom or who had contact with Javaherian.

According to Sgt. Eric Rose, Javaherian admitted to outfitting the restroom at Cocina Bene with tiny cameras hidden under the sink with Velcro. He was even caught on one of his own cameras while installing it, according to police.

“Other times he would put it under the other dispensers — toilet seat cover dispensers, paper towel dispensers,” Rose told the Los Angeles Times.

Hiding cameras in the restroom is a misdemeanor, but it becomes a felony when children are recorded using the bathroom, Rose explained to the newspaper.

Javaherian was placed under arrest for possession of child pornography with his bail set for $20,000. Anyone with information about additional victims is asked to call Van Nuys detectives at (818) 374-0040.

Photos courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department