Hidden camera found in Subway bathroom

DARIEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police say a Subway employee who is accused of hiding a camera in the restaurant's restroom is in the county illegally.

Police say the employee, 21-year-old Marco Dias, installed the hidden camera and was caught on camera. A customer noticed it under the sink and called police.

The camera has since been removed from the Heights Road shop.

"Is it something you even think about," News 8's Erin Logan asked Cheryl, a customer at the Subway.

"No. Not usually," she said. "I usually trust it will be okay."

Police say Dias is an illegal immigrant.

"I go in here a lot. It's a fine place. They should just lock the guy up and deport him," said John, another customer.

The restaurant manager didn't have much to say when Logan called him.

"How did he get hired if he's an illegal immigrant? Did you do a background check," she asked.

"I don't have any comment," he replied.

Subway's World Headquarters says they're actively looking into the allegations. They issued the following statement regarding the incident:

"All Subway restaurants are individually owned and operated by independent franchisees.

While the hiring and staffing of the restaurant is the sole responsibility of the franchisee, the brand requires franchisees to follow all applicable laws and regulations.

We are aware of the allegations made regarding a Darien Subway restaurant and will be actively looking into them. We do not condone the alleged behavior and can assure our customers that this is not the business practice used by Subway franchisees.

As this is an ongoing investigation we can provide no further comment."

"His reasoning was he wanted to capture people in the bathroom," said Det. Mark Cappelli. "Remorseful? I don't know. He was certainly shocked."

Police say Dias lives in Bridgeport with his parents.

One of his neighbor says he doesn't know Dias, but believes he has lived there less than a few months.

"It's bad, what can I say," he said. "Installing cameras in the bathroom. It's bad."

Police says Dias could spend over a year in jail for voyeurism charges. He is being held by immigration.