WASHINGTON – A man accused of recording video up a woman’s skirt on a Metro escalator may have additional victims police said, and they want to hear from anyone who recognizes him.
Mario Revelo was taken into custody at the Courthouse Metro Station about 2:50 p.m. Wednesday.
Before police arrived to arrest him, Revelo was detained by his alleged victim and two people who came to her aid after she became suspicious and confronted him.
“They surrounded him and he stuck around. He didn’t feel free to leave while they were talking to him,” said Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashely Savage. “Those good Samaritans really helped the victim in this case. They should all be commended on their bravery and what they did.”
Savage also said, however, that dealing with potential criminals should be left to professionals.
“We would still never recommend that you confront another person. Just give 911 a call. 911 is always there to assist you,” Savage said.
A spokesman for Metro said that Metro takes these kinds of incidents seriously, along with harassment and indecent exposure, because there is often more than one victim.
“A person who engages in this kind of disturbing behavior is likely to repeat offend. So, it is important for anyone who is a victim to report it,” Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said.
Metro always recommends maintaining situational awareness.
“Simply looking around, knowing who’s around you and what they’re doing can go a long way toward keeping you safe, not just from this kind of thing, but from other crime as well,” Stessel said.
To immediately report an incident on Metro call 202-962-2121. If you see and want to report sexual harassment using a special web portal, filling out the electronic form will send the information to Metro Transit Police immediately for them to take action.
Revelo is charged with “Unlawful Image of Another,” and he is being held on no bond. That offense is a misdemeanor when there’s only one or two counts, according to Savage. When there’s a third count of “Unlawful Image of Another” it becomes a felony, Savage said.
If you have had a suspicious encounter with Revelo, Arlington Police want you to call 703-558-2222 or you can file a police report online.
Watch the video of the incident.
