A Sylmar man was arrested in Glendale on Wednesday after allegedly using his cell phone to take upskirt photos of women as they shopped at the Glendale Galleria, according to Sgt. Tom Lorenz, of the Glendale Police Department.

John Puncel

John Puncel, 49, was arrested after Glendale police witnessed him allegedly “upskirt” a 47-year-old woman as she ascended an escalator, Lorenz said. Since his arrest, the department has received calls from several victims who made similar claims against Puncel, including an alleged incident at The Grove.

“Frankly, we’ve been getting calls from people all over the greater Los Angeles area,” Lorenz said.

He said formal charges have not been filed, but Puncel is facing charges of upskirting, resisting arrest and possession of child pornography, since some of the victims were under the age of 18. Lorenz said Glendale police is still obtaining evidence from electronics seized from Puncel’s home through a search warrant. Charges will then be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Lorenz said the department has a substation within the Glendale Galleria, and officers took notice of Puncel after they noticed him “acting suspiciously.” He said Puncel allegedly assaulted an officer during the arrest.