GRAMERCY — A deli employee was arrested for trying to film a customer as she used the bathroom at the East 14th Street shop, according to the NYPD.
The woman went into the deli at 353 E. 14th St. between First and Second avenues, and asked to use the bathroom at about 3:50 a.m. on Aug. 17, police said.
The clerk, 27-year-old Sadeq Al-Bahri, agreed, but told the woman he first had to check the condition of the bathroom. After ducking into the restroom, he gave her the go-ahead, according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
When the woman entered the bathroom, she noticed a cup face-down on the floor with a hole facing the toilet. Then when she looked under the cup, she found an iPhone recording video, according to the complaint.
The woman took the phone, left the store, then flagged down a passing police officer to report the incident, officials said.
The phone contained a video showing the clerk placing the phone on the floor under the cup and several minutes later showing the woman discovering the ruse, according to the complaint.
The man — who was previously arrested in June for selling loose cigarettes at the same store — was charged with second degree unlawful surveillance, a felony, according to court records. He was released Aug. 21 after posting a $1,000 cash bail. He's due back in court Nov. 30.
A lawyer did not immediately respond to request for comment. Employees at the shop declined to comment.
