Helendale Gas Station Worker Arrested After Hidden Phone Found Recording Woman in Restroom

HELENDALE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A Tripco gas station employee in Helendale was arrested after a woman discovered a hidden phone recording her inside the business’s public restroom, authorities confirmed.

The incident occurred on September 8, 2025, at approximately 5:37 p.m., when deputies responded to the Tripco Station following a report from an adult female.

According to a written statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the woman told deputies she found a phone concealed inside a box in the restroom.

The phone was actively recording her as she used the facilities.

The device was determined to belong to Bryan Augusto Huezo Irauheta, 28, of Helendale, who was identified as an employee of the gas station.

Investigators learned Huezo Irauheta allegedly entered the restroom before the victim and placed the phone inside the box to record her.

Huezo Irauheta was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center on a felony charge of PC 647 (J)(3)(A) – Video/Photo in Bathroom or Bedroom.

The Sheriff’s Department has not released information about potential additional victims. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement.

UPDATE: In a statement shared with VVNG, Tripco Helendale Liquor clarified that the incident occurred in the employee restroom and involved two staff members.

“This situation involved two employees — a female staff member who discovered a male coworker’s phone hidden inside the private employee restroom, not the public restroom,” the statement read.

Management said the employee responsible was “terminated on the spot” and law enforcement was contacted immediately.

“This was a disturbing and unacceptable violation of privacy and trust,” the statement continued. “We want to be absolutely clear — this type of behavior will never be tolerated under any circumstances. Our workplace is built on respect, safety, and professionalism, and we will continue to take every measure to protect our team members and uphold those values.”

The business also emphasized that “no customers were involved in this incident.”

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on October 10, 2025, to include an official statement from Tripco Helendale Liquor clarifying that the incident occurred in the private employee restroom and involved two staff members.

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