Man charged after allegedly opening curtain to watch 12-year-old shower at Newcastle rec centre

Police are sharing a suspect's photo as they believe there may be additional victims. (Durham Regional Police)

A 65-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly opening the curtain where a 12-year-old was showering at a rec centre in Newcastle, Ont.

Durham Regional Police said the incident happened sometime between 8 and 9 p.m. on April 9 at the Dianne Harme Recreation Centre, located at 1780 Rudell Rd.

A male suspect entered the men’s changeroom where he allegedly repeatedly pulled open the privacy curtain where the youth was showering.

“The victim closed the curtain, however the suspect repeatedly opened the shower curtain,” police said in a news release.

When the victim left the shower, police said the suspect followed him and tried to strike up a conversation.

The youth fled the changeroom, police said, and informed one of his parents.

Police arrested the suspect on April 18 at his home without incident.

Durham police charged Eugene Gareau, of Clarington, Ont., with secretly observe/record a person nude and expose genitals to a person under 16 years of age for a sexual purpose.

Investigators have released a photo of the accused as they believe there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.