High Tech “Peeping Tom” Arrested In Hickory

A man suspected of placing of a video recording device in a tanning bed- room has been arrested.

Darren Rodney Astles, 50, of Sherrills Ford, is charged with one felony count of peeping using a photographic imaging device and one felony count of possessing a photographic image from peeping. He was charged Tuesday by Hickory Police and was freed on a $12,000 secured bond with a court appearance set for Wednesday in Newton.

Holly Morrow of Taylorsville found the device last week in a tanning room at Planet Fitness on North Center Street in Hickory. Morrow, a member of the facility reported it to management. Astles was also a member at the gym but has had his membership revoked according to reports.