Police: Zaftigs 'Could Face Ramifications' For Failure To Report Hidden Camera
BOSTON (CBS) – A popular Coolidge Corner delicatessen has drawn the ire of Brookline Police for apparently failing to report that a former employee had placed a hidden camera in a deli bathroom.
The camera was discovered recently in a handicapped bathroom at Zaftigs on Harvard Street.
There have been no arrests, but police say they are investigating a former employee.
Zaftigs management said they had no comment due to the ongoing police investigation.
"It certainly makes me a bit uncomfortable," customer Sara Conwell told WBZ-TV.
Another customer said "I don't know. It's just gross."
Both are regulars at Zaftigs at the Harvard Street deli -- a fixture in the neighborhood since 1997.
Police say the camera was discovered in the handicapped bathroom months ago and the worker suspected in the incident is no longer employed.
But police only found out about it yesterday and said the deli wasn't especially forthcoming.
"When our officers went there they were told by a manager that no one could speak to us," said Brookline Police Lt. Philip Harrington. "He told us all contact should go through their lawyer."
Detectives have no evidence in hand at this point and say the deli's failure to report a possible crime on the premises is troubling -- at best.
"The restaurant did not report this to us," says Lt. Harrington. "As a result they could face ramifications down the road. I don't know."
None of the lunch customers who spoke to WBZ-TV on Tuesday had heard about the hidden camera -- prompting many to suspect the deli owner kept quiet amid fears of negative publicity.
"Well I guess I wonder how many people knew about it," said Conwell. "Was it just one person acting alone or did other workers know what was going on?"
But some customers weren't willing to cast judgment on the eateries apparent inaction -- just yet.
"It just depends on the outcome of the investigation and what they find," said customer Olivia Billow.
Zaftig staffers declined to speak with us this afternoon -- other than saying their boss has finally scheduled a meeting with police.
"They could be facing charges here," said Lt. Harrington.
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