MAPLE -- A comic book store owner is accused of voyeurism after police say he was caught using a hidden camera to spy on a woman in the store's washroom.

Officers were called to Dragon's Realm in the Norwood Plaza at 9661 Jane St., just south of Major Mackenzie Dr., around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday after the young woman's boyfriend found a video camera, York police alleged.

"Nobody should ever be subjected to something like this," Const. Laurie Perks said yesterday.

The young couple, both 21, went to the store to pick up some comics they had ordered, Perks said.

While they were in the store, the woman asked to use the restroom. As she walked to the back of the store, the owner allegedly followed behind and entered an adjoining room.

"The woman's boyfriend thought the owner's behaviour was suspicious, so he decided to walk to the back of the store to investigate," Perks claims.

That's when he found a video camera mounted on a tripod in the room next door, police alleged.

The couple confronted the store owner and there was a physical altercation but nobody was seriously hurt, Perks said.

The store owner was arrested without incident.

Domenic Giorgio, 43, of Bolton, is charged with voyeurism and two counts of assault. He has since been released from custody on a promise to appear in Newmarket court on Aug. 19.

Dragon's Realm is a hot spot for lovers of comic books and collectibles such as action figures. But the store also sells T-shirts, which police say customers often try on in the washroom.

The store was open for business yesterday. Giorgio, in a polite tone, refused to comment.

According to information online, he has more than 30 years experience in the comic-collecting business but his store has only been in that location for about a year.

Other shopkeepers in the plaza were stunned to learn of the allegations against Giorgio, who they said runs the store with his two sons.

"It's disgusting," said a woman at a neighbouring clothing store, who didn't give her name.

"A lot of the kids from (Paramount Canada's) Wonderland also go to the store," another woman said, pointing out the amusement park is right across the street.

However, one man who regularly frequents the store defended Giorgio and said he had no plans to take his business elsewhere.

"Honestly, I don't believe any of it," he said as he left Dragon's Realm. "There's no way he'd be doing something like that with his kids working there," added the comic collector, who has been shopping at the store for years.

"I've used the washroom plenty of times and I've never seen any hidden cameras or peepholes or anything like that in there."

Police said the camera was seized, but they could not confirm witness accounts that computer towers were seized.

Investigators are worried about the possibility of more victims and are urging anyone who has been in the washroom to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or York Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

CHRIS.DOUCETTE@SUNMEDIA.CA