Peeping-Tom charges laid against Vancouver man

A month-long Vancouver police investigation has led to charges against a man accused of being a peeping tom in a Kitsilano neighbourhood.

Michael Timascheff faces three counts of voyeurism and 15 counts of prowling at addresses spanning the ten blocks south of 6th Avenue and six blocks west of Macdonald Street.

"These charges aren't all that common," said Vancouver police Const. Lindsay Houghton. "That's why we encourage people, if they see anyone suspicious in their neighbourhoods late at night, walking through homes, doing things unexplained, looking in windows, that sort of thing — call us immediately, we would love to send officers to investigate."

Houghton wouldn't say what sparked the investigation. The 46-year-old made an appearance in Vancouver Provincial Court this week.

The prowling charges cover a time period from Feb. 24 to March 10.

The voyeurism charges allegedly involve the unlawful observing of two separate individuals and one couple.

More charges possible

"The investigation is certainly ongoing," says Houghton. "If we receive more evidence that we could use to continue the investigation and perhaps lay more charges and ask Crown counsel to look at more charges, then absolutely, we would do so."

People who live in the neighbourhood say they are shocked to hear about the alleged activity.

"I don't think about it much, in fact, I almost never close my blinds," said area resident Alexia Bloch. "I've lived in other cities where I was more concerned with those issues. I guess I'm lucky I've never been the victim of any kind of crime."

Effie Georgeopoulos said she's lived in the area for decades and considers it safe. But she said neighbours need to keep an eye out for each other.

"This block alone — new young families have been coming in — so it is a big concern," Georgeopoulos said. "All of us know each other, so if there's a concern, we will tell somebody else. Again, it's alarms, doors locked, just keeping an eye on the neighbourhood."

Timascheff's next court appearance is set for June 18.