Man accused of taking pictures of boy in North Babylon restaurant bathroom proclaims innocence

NORTH BABYLON, N.Y. (WABC) -- A man who police said took pictures of a minor in a restaurant bathroom on Long Island says he didn't do it.

28-year old Luis Flores, Jr. says surveillance video may show him in the restaurant, but it doesn't show him taking any pictures.

We spoke with Flores via Facetime at his attorney's office.

"I have nothing to hide," he said.

He says he's left the area because he was receiving death threats and fears for his safety.

Flores says simply that he is innocent.

He says yes, it is video of him at Hibachi Grill in North Babylon but that he didn't take any pictures of an 8 year old boy using the bathroom there like police say he did.

"I feel very violated inside, victimized, and I'm innocent all the way, I didn't do this," said Flores.

Suffolk police say Flores reached over the stall and took several cell phone pictures of the boy. Investigators say they're confident they have the right guy.

Flores says he gave his cell phone to police.

His attorney says they're confident investigators won't find anything incriminating on it.

"He gave the phone right to the police, he didn't have anything to hide," said attorney Matt Tuohy. "They're going to be able to run forensics on it and they're going to see there was no video or snapshot taken."

Flores says this entire thing has been a nightmare. He's lost both of his jobs and is now in hiding.

"I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't even eat at all," he said. "This is really so unfortunate and it breaks my heart inside and everything. I'm just so destroyed, severely destroyed."

He is being charged with unlawful surveillance. His next court appearance is later this month.

Police say they got more than a dozen phone calls after releasing the surveillance video of the suspect.

"When the youth was in the stall, he noticed there was a hand reaching overhead," Suffolk Police Lieutenant Robert Edwards said. "And he saw the flash from the cell phone camera. He saw two flashes. He subsequently told his dad what happened.

The parents went to restaurant manager Bill Ni.

"The lady called 911, and police officers, they come in," he said. "They review the camera. And they take a report."

Police say they have no evidence to connect Flores with any other incidents, but they asking anyone who is concerned to contact them.

"If somebody has any information or somebody is complaining in another jurisdiction and we're not aware about, we'd be happy to look into that incident," Edwards said.

Anyone with additional information or questions about the case is asked to call 1-800-220-TIPS.