RED BANK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A man charged last year with taking "upskirting" photos of two women at a New Jersey supermarket has been charged with the same crime against more women, including minors, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Tuesday.
Christopher W. Cox, 33, has been charged with eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, nine counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials, nine counts of invasion of privacy, two counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of possession of a large-capacity magazine, according to prosecutors.
A man later identified as Cox was seen entering the Shrewsbury ShopRite on Shrewsbury Avenue, on Oct. 20, 2022, just before 4 p.m. Shortly after, he started following customers around the store while using "his cell phone in a manner indicating that he was surreptitiously taking photos of them from behind," authorities said. Cox was then observed leaving the store and driving away in a white Dodge Durango.
Cox was pulled over by Red Bank police a week later on Newman Springs Road. Cox initially obeyed a command from an officer to exit his SUV, then quickly jumped back inside and sped away from the scene, forcing the officer to release his grip on him to avoid getting dragged by the vehicle.
He was arrested in Little Silver a short time later, officials said.
After authorities seized his electronic devices and a large-capacity gun magazine, investigators found video files depicting women and underaged girls being filmed from below using a cell phone placed in a grocery basket, duffel bag, or other items, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said the "upskirting" incidents happened at eight different grocery stores between November 2021 and September 2022. He is accused of targeting victims at a Whole Foods in Middletown; ShopRite supermarkets in Shrewsbury, Elizabeth and West Long Branch; ShopRite Wines & Spirits in Westfield and unknown Walmart and Foodtown stores.
Further investigation revealed that Cox had recently worked as a plumber and that while in clients' houses from Nov. 11 to Jan. 2, he allegedly videotaped himself rubbing his pelvic area on clients, in one instance exposing himself and performing a lewd act.
He was arrested on Jan. 12 during a traffic stop in Shrewsbury. A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400.
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