Vernon Police: Man Played Peeping Tom at Salvation Army Clothing Racks

VERNON, CT — A man is accused of stalking a woman around the clothing racks of the local Salvation Army thrift store earlier this summer and then taking illicit pictures of her, a police report indicates.

On Sunday Vernon police arrested Michael Tedford, 32, of Hartford. Police had an outstanding warrant on him in connection with a July 7 incident at the Salvation Army store at 295 Hartford Turnpike.

That day, Tedford was inside the thrift store store and allegedly attempted to take “upskirt” photos of a female customer, according to a police report.

The woman told police that Tedford had walked past her several times inside the store.

The woman then stopped to look at an item and saw Tedford bent down behind her holding his cell phone, according to a police report.

The woman could see the cell phone camera was on while Tedford did this and she called police, according to the police report.

Officers then located and stopped Tedford in his vehicle as he attempted to drive away, according to a police report.

Police said they seized the cell phone from Tedford and applied for a search warrant to analyze it.

A Vernon detective working with the CT Digital Investigations Task Force and images consistent with the alleged crime were located on his phone, according to a report.

Police said Tedford had driven to the store and did not have a valid license. He was also found to be in possession of "a marijuana smoking bowl," according to a report.

Tedford was charged with voyeurism, second-degree breach of peace, operating a motor vehicle without a license possession of drug paraphernalia.

He posted a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Court on Sept. 13, police said.

Photo Credit: The booking mug shot of Tedford furnished by Vernon police