Howard County police have charged the owner of Rams Head Tavern in Savage for secretly videotaping women as they used the restaurant's bathroom.
Kyle Muehlhauser, 37, of Severna Park, was arrested Thursday on six counts of visual surveillance with prurient intent. He has been released from the Howard County Detention Center on $35,000 bond.
The police investigation began in May 2014 when a woman reported to police that she was in the restroom at Rams Head Tavern on Foundry Street when a digital video camera fell onto the floor next to her.
Detectives reviewed the footage on the camera's memory card. It revealed the image of an unknown man placing the camera in the bathroom. Police also saw the images of six unknown woman captured on video.
Investigators got surveillance video from the restaurant. They saw a man in the establishment who matched the physical and clothing description of the suspect mounting the camera in the bathroom.
The man was identified as Kyle Muehlhauser. In December, police received lab results indicating DNA on the camera matched that of Muehlhauser. He turned himself in to police without incident.
"We are still investigating and asking anyone who might have information to come forward. We are also reaching out to other police jurisdictions where there are other similar restaurants owned by the same person to let them know that we've made this arrest so that they could pursue any investigations that they feel may be appropriate at other similar establishments," Howard County Police Department spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said.
Statement from The Rams Head Group
On Monday afternoon, The Rams Head Group released the following statement:
"Today the Howard County Police Department released a statement regarding Kyle Muehlhauser, an owner of Rams Head Tavern Savage Mill.
"Rams Head Group wants to assure the public, our staff and our guests that we have been fully cooperative with the Howard County Police Department. Per the police investigation, this is an isolated situation involving one bathroom at the Rams Head Tavern Savage Mill location more than nine months ago.
"We understand the community’s rightful concerns. Since the incident in May 2014, we have been focused on ensuring that all of our facilities are safe and secure. No other locations or incidents are involved.
"Rams Head has been part of the community for over 25 years and will continue to focus on providing safe and secure facilities for our guests and staff. We pledge our continued cooperation in the investigation and that the well-being of our guests and staff shall remain our first priority. We will continue to strive to be a trusted part of our community in which we live and work."