SHERMAN OAKS—On Tuesday, May 9, at around 8:45 a.m., restaurateur Bahram Javaherian, 65, was arrested at his restaurant, Cucina Bene, located in the 4500 block of Sepulveda Boulevard, on suspicion of possessing child pornography.
According to a press release by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Javaherian allegedly hid tiny video cameras inside the women’s restroom of the restaurant. An employee found a camera under the sink, attached with Velcro. Detectives served a search warrant at the restaurant and Javaherian’s home, recovering the devices and videos showing children and women using the restroom.
According to officials, Javaherian admitted to placing the cameras under the sink and inside various dispensers over seven months ago, and taking the videos home to watch them. He was caught on one of his own cameras while installing it, confirming his actions. Evidence shows over one hundred images of women and children using the facilities.
Hiding cameras in restrooms is a misdemeanor, but becomes a felony when children are recorded, as it is considered possession of child pornography, Detective Eric Rose explained to the Los Angeles Times.
Javaherian, who has been the co-owner of Cucina Bene for 11 years, faces one count of possession of child pornography, with one of his victims being as young as 3 years old. His bail was set for $20,000. Following his arrest, the restaurant’s Yelp page has been inundated with one-star reviews about his crime.
Officials from the LAPD’s Van Nuys Division are seeking additional victims who have dined at the restaurant or had contact with Javaherian. Those with information are asked to call Van Nuys detectives are 818-374-0040. After-hour and weekend calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Those wishing to remain anonymous should call the Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
