Police: VA Employee Caught Using Spotting Scope To Peer Into Pitt Dorm

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

OAKLAND (KDKA) – Police have arrested a Pittsburgh VA employee accused of using a spotting scope to peer into student dorm rooms at the University of Pittsburgh.

VA police officers were on patrol at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare parking garage near Pitt's campus when they noticed the spotting scope in Paul May's vehicle. May, who works at the VA, wasn't near the vehicle at the time.

Officers took pictures of May's vehicle and the spotting scope, and then re-positioned a closed-circuit TV camera towards the SUV to monitor any activity.

Over the next few days, they saw May entering and exiting the vehicle several times, using the spotting scope to peer into the nearby dorm rooms.

Investigators say they caught May in the act, and he was arrested.

Pitt students say they are relieved.

"I live on this side of Panther Hall, and that's really creepy," said one student. "I mean, I change and stuff in my bedroom."

"I just think that's really gross and an invasion of privacy, so I think it's good that he's gone," another student said.

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Chief of Public Affairs Kathleen Pomorski released this statement: "We are committed to ensuring the safety of our patients, employees and neighbors, and VA Police will be vigilant at all times."

May is charged with loitering, prowling at night, possessing an instrument of crime and invasion of privacy. He's been suspended from his job at the VA, which is beginning the process of terminating his employment.