SARATOGA SPRINGS — The local police are currently investigating a disturbing Instagram account that features non-consensual videos of women and girls in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Spa State Park. In a Facebook post on Monday, the city police announced that they have received a report and are collaborating with State Park Police to conduct a thorough investigation.
The videos on this account consist of a man referring to himself as an amateur photographer and requesting to take a woman’s picture. Other videos show women walking or jogging from a distance. In many instances, the camera focuses on their chests, with one caption stating, “She was just so hot, couldn’t resist.” As news of the account spread across social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit, users took it upon themselves to share links to the account and encourage others to report it.
While the posts appear to be recent, individuals who have come forward claim that the images were taken at least 15 years ago. Some videos even include text indicating that they were recorded in the late 1990s or early 2000s. However, certain details in the background suggest that some clips are more recent, as they show New York “Empire Gold” license plates, which were introduced in 2010.
Despite the outcry on social media, it remains uncertain whether the account is violating any laws. According to a statement from the Saratoga Springs police, capturing videos and photographs in public places where privacy expectations are minimal doesn’t automatically constitute a criminal act. The investigation is ongoing as the police work to identify the individuals in the images and videos and determine if any crimes have been committed.
The Times Union visited an address in Albany associated with the suspected account owner and interviewed a man who matched the description and name. However, he denied running the account or recording any of the videos. The man had previously faced charges related to stalking young girls five years ago and had an arrest record from 15 years ago for unlawful surveillance in Albany’s Washington Park. The resolution of those charges remains unclear.
When shown the content of the videos, the man questioned what could be objectionable about filming young runners in sportswear alongside hashtags like “#sportygirls,” “#sportsbra,” and “#hotchicks.” City Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino confirmed that the investigation into the account is ongoing and emphasized that while photographing someone in public is generally legal, actions like following someone or repeatedly capturing their images could lead to criminal charges.
Some of the videos on the account include a close-up shot of the bloodied face of Ellie, the iconic female character from PlayStation’s “The Last of Us” video game. In their statement, the police advised anyone confronted by such incidents to immediately contact the authorities. They stressed the importance of early intervention to facilitate the identification of those involved and the investigation into possible crimes. The police reassured the public that there is currently no immediate threat and urged anyone with information to contact the department at 518-584-1800.
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