Invasive recording suspect Makarious Jevonne Bates | Image by Irving Police Department/news release
Irving police are asking potential victims to come forward after investigators say a 19-year-old man secretly recorded women in public restrooms and dressing rooms, with newly released court documents revealing nearly 300 illicit photos and videos were found on his cellphone.
Makarious Jevonne Bates, 19, was arrested June 26 and has been charged with multiple counts of invasive visual recording, a state jail felony in Texas.
According to investigators, the recordings date back to at least April and may involve multiple retail locations in Irving and Dallas.
Investigation Began at Irving TJ Maxx
The investigation began on June 3 after officers responded to a TJ Maxx store in the 7700 block of North MacArthur Boulevard.
Store employees reported that a man had been photographing and recording a woman and a young girl inside the women’s restroom. Police said the suspect left the store but returned about 40 minutes later wearing the same clothing and again entered the women’s restroom.
A store employee later told investigators she was using a restroom stall when she looked down and saw a man’s hand holding a cellphone beneath the partition, recording her from the adjacent stall. Employees described her as visibly shaken and emotional after the incident.
Loss prevention personnel told detectives they believed the same suspect had committed similar offenses at the store on April 12 and June 1. They provided investigators with the license plate number of a Dodge Challenger that the suspect used to leave the area.
Police Identified Suspect Through License Plate Readers
Investigators determined the vehicle was registered to Bates and confirmed his identity by comparing surveillance footage with body camera video from a previous traffic stop.
On June 15, officers received a Flock license plate reader alert indicating Bates’ vehicle was traveling on North MacArthur Boulevard. Officers located the vehicle near a Target store, conducted a traffic stop, and arrested Bates on an unrelated offense.
Police seized Bates’ cellphone after his arrest, and investigators said he voluntarily provided the device’s passcode.
Search Warrant Uncovered Hundreds of Images and Videos
After obtaining a search warrant, detectives conducted a forensic examination of Bates’ cellphone on June 22.
According to court documents, investigators recovered more than 290 images and videos showing women inside department stores, dressing rooms, and restrooms.
Among the files was a video recorded June 15 inside the women’s restroom at a Walmart located at 9311 Forest Lane in Dallas. Investigators said the footage showed Bates holding his cellphone both above and below a restroom stall occupied by a Walmart employee.
Police later identified the employee, who reportedly had been unaware she had been recorded. Investigators said she became highly emotional after learning about the video and elected to pursue criminal charges.
Police Believe There May Be Additional Victims
Investigators said the evidence recovered from Bates’ phone indicates the unlawful recordings began as early as April 2026 and may involve additional victims who have not yet been identified.
Police believe some of the incidents occurred at businesses located in shopping centers along the 7500 to 7800 blocks of North MacArthur Boulevard in Irving.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who believes they encountered Bates or suspects they were unlawfully recorded is asked to contact Irving Police Detective S. Herring at 972-721-2604 or by email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by emailing [email protected].