How easy is it to obtain hidden cameras?

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - After a local pastor is accused of hiding cameras in the ladies' restroom at his church, we decided to find out just how easy it is to obtain discreet surveillance gear.

NewsChannel 18 first told you Monday that former pastor Robert Lyzenga was arrested last week on one charge of voyeurism.

He's accused of planting cameras inside air fresheners in the women's bathroom stalls.

So, we decided to dig a little deeper and ask, just how easy is it to get your hands on these hidden cameras?

We spoke with Lafayette Electronic Supply President Ron Hurst for a look at just what is out there on the market these days for hidden cameras and some of what he had to say about the size of modern cameras may surprise you.

Hurst said his business sees no legitimate reason to carry some of the smallest models of cameras that can easily be hidden in something like an air freshener, but that doesn't stop the determined few from obtaining those online.

“You're talking about something that has maybe a sixteenth of an inch diameter hole that it looks through. So in the context of walking in to a room you would never know it was there,” said Hurst.

The price tag on one of these small cameras runs the gamut from just $40 to upwards of $100 for the smaller technology.

Hurst said online you may be able to find just about any size camera you'd like as long as you're willing to pay for it.

"Yeah, it's very easy.  The stuff is available from hundreds of websites. Nobody really cares if it's a legitimate, or not legitimate use for the equipment," commented Hurst, "You can be live, you can run it basically in to a DVR or recording device and monitor it live. You know it's no problem to do."

Tippecanoe County Sheriff Tracy Brown could not confirm if any more women from the congregation had come forward as victims after Monday's broadcast.

The investigation is ongoing in this case. If charged, Lyzenga could face at least one D felony charge of voyeurism.