Out of concern for public safety, Peterborough police have released the name and photograph of a 23-year-old Peterborough man who has been charged with harassment, possession of child pornography, and multiple counts of indecent acts and voyeurism.
Police first arrested Mathew Saunders on April 28 and charged him with criminal harassment following an incident around 6 p.m. on March 8 at the Walmart store on Chemong Road. Female victims reported a man had been following them extremely closely through the store while possibly recording them or taking photos. The incident made the women feel unsafe.
As part of the investigation, detectives with the Peterborough Police Service Sex Crime Unit seized a cellular device. After conducting an authorized search of the phone, detectives located disturbing images and, as a result, executed a search warrant on August 14 at a Peterborough residence. Saunders was then also charged with possession of child pornography.
Through further investigation, officers conducted a search warrant of a phone and located photos and videos of indecent acts and voyeurism Saunders allegedly committed while at his workplace, in his home, and in the community. Police say there is no indication that any incidents at the accused man’s workplace involved members of the public, as the business was closed at the time of the incidents.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested Saunders last Thursday (September 4) and charged him with five counts of an indecent act and nine counts of voyeurism.
The accused man was held in custody after his arrest and then released earlier this week after his court appearance with strict conditions.
“The Peterborough Police is releasing his name and photo, in accordance with the provision of the Community Safety and Policing Act (2019) and out of an abundance of concern for public safety given the nature of the incidents and evolution of the investigation over the past six months,” reads a police media release.
The police investigation is ongoing, with officers continuing to identify and connect with known victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 ext. 555. If you prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at stopcrimehere.ca.
