Location: Greenville
Source: WITN/Gray News
In a shocking incident captured on video, 21-year-old Thomas Elliott, a volunteer at a Greenville elementary school, was arrested after allegedly placing his phone under a woman’s skirt at a Target store in Greenville, North Carolina.
The incident at Target, which occurred on Monday, April 15, triggered an immediate police response after a shopper noticed Elliott following her around the store and recorded him placing his phone under a woman’s skirt.
The video, which was later shared on social media, led to police intervention and Elliott’s arrest.
Target has cooperated fully with the investigation, urging anyone who may have been in close proximity to Elliott on that day to come forward and assist in the case.
The Pitt County School system responded, with spokesperson Tom McClellan expressing deep concern over the footage and announcing Elliott’s immediate dismissal from any involvement with their campuses.
Opendoor Church in Winterville, where Elliott was also involved, terminated him upon learning of his arrest.
However, the specifics of his role within the church were not disclosed.
Detectives are now expanding their inquiry beyond the Target incident, considering Elliott’s previous employment in various school settings.
Despite the disturbing nature of the incident, police have not found any inappropriate photos of children on Elliott’s cell phone.
A search warrant has been issued for his phone, seeking various digital materials, including video files, photographs, text messages, and potentially recoverable deleted information.
Charges
Elliott, who maintains his innocence, posted a $5,000 bond and appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday in Greenville.
He has since been charged with two counts of felony secret peeping in addition to his initial arrest for allegedly recording women in secret at a local Target store.
The Greenville Police Department announced Elliott’s new charges and his booking into the Johnston County Detention Center under a $20,000 secured bond.
