COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — On Wednesday, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office charged Wayne Stombaugh with a crime that's sending shockwaves throughout a Collinsville, Illinois, neighborhood.
"It's hard to believe because we don't have any problems here," Joyce Fitzgerald, a neighbor, said.
"It's just disappointing," Emanuel Robles, another neighbor, said.
Police said last August they initially received a "report of unauthorized video recording" at Unity Spiritual Center near West Clay and North Combs Street.
The 60-year-old Stombaugh is accused of recording two women in a restroom at the church in June and July of last year.
Police said church leaders called Stombaugh, who lives in Imperial, Missouri, a "regular attendee."
"I feel sorry for those women. Oh, it's horrible. Not good," Joyce Fitzgerald said.
"You think you're safe and in a sacred place," Pat Mottershead, a neighbor, said.
Randy Steel, president of Unity Spiritual Center and the church's attorney, said the incidents occurred in a lower-level bathroom.
Steele said a "Messianic group rents from Unity Spiritual Center on Saturdays only."
"A member of that group informed the leader of having placed a camera in the bathroom, at which point the leader immediately expelled and banned him from entering the premises and this matter was turned over to Collinsville police," he said in a statement.
Steele also said, "Unity Spiritual Center is not part of nor affiliated" with the group.
A police spokesman said investigators with the Collinsville Police Department talked to Stombaugh's attorney Friday morning.
As of Friday night, Stombaugh had not come forward.
"It's just very sad," Pat Mottershead, who hopes the suspect surrenders soon, said.
"I think that will make those poor ladies feel better. As long as he's out there, they're going to be afraid," Mottershead said.
Stombaugh faces three counts of unauthorized video recording, which is a Class 4 felony.
Police said they do not believe there are more victims, but ask anyone who may have any information about the reported incidents to call the Collinsville Police Department at (618) 344-2131, extension 5143.