AMHERST, N.Y.- A Williamsville man was arrested Monday after Amherst Police say he used hidden cameras to observe and record female victims.

Prakash Rajyaguru, 46, has been charged with second degree unlawful surveillance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Leaders of the Hindu Cultural Society in Amherst are puzzled and shocked to learn of the arrest of Rajyaguru who was one of their long time members and volunteers. His arraignment in Amherst Town Court followed a months long investigation, after police determined he was allegedly using hidden cameras to view and record young girls ages 11 to 14.

Amherst Police Lt. Joseph Lacorte says "One of the victims' parents came to us. They came across something suspicious looking in their rest room and they realized what it was. They brought it to us. It was just a portable little type camera, I guess what you might call a lipstick camera that he could just set down, record what he wanted, go right back in and grab it and no one would even realize it was there."

At the Hindu temple, leaders say Rajyaguru was allegedly doing the same thing with images found of a back room behind a stage used for young girls and others to change into costumes for religious festivals or clothing for other events.
Hindu Cultural Society Vice President Dr. Kishore Divan says "Because of his IT background and everything else he was helping people here in the different functions and activities...for audio-visual, filming, and everything."

Society President Dr. Kaliash Lall adds "We are really sorry that one of our members did this to the community." He notes that the Temple has been checked for other cameras or devices and none were found. Locks have also been changed on the buildings.

Rajyaguru was released on $50,000 bail.