‘I am deeply disturbed’: Owner of Tybee Island restaurant speaks out after employee arrest

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Tybee Island police have arrested a North Beach Bar and Grill employee after hidden cameras were discovered inside the restrooms of the Tybee Island restaurant.

Detectives with the Tybee Island Police Department charged 48-year-old Larry Walter Chase with unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance. Chase’s Chatham County jail record lists North Beach Bar and Grill as his employer at the time of his arrest.

Police report reveals details

Police say employees at North Beach Bar and Grill contacted officers Thursday, Sept. 17, after discovering a small camera concealed underneath a shelf in one of the restaurant’s bathrooms.

A second camera was later found on top of an air freshener in the restaurant’s other restroom.

According to police, detectives reviewing the cameras’ contents found footage of several people using the restrooms.

“I think it’s disgusting, I think it’s really scary,” said Tybee Island visitor Wayne Curry. “Hearing that it happened right up the street is pretty scary. I mean, you send your daughter to the bathroom, do you need to go in and scan the restrooms before you go in...?”

With the cooperation of the restaurant, detectives identified Chase as the suspect, police said. Chase was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 22, and booked into the Chatham County Detention Center on the charge of unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance.

The investigation remains active. Police said no additional information will be released at this time.

WTOC reached out to Tybee Island police who told us they are reaching out to victims involved and says for anyone who may believe they were a victim to reach out to them.

North Beach owner speaks out

The owner of North Beach Bar & Grill is speaking out after hidden cameras were discovered in the restaurant’s bathrooms.

Owner George Spriggs said they are “deeply disturbed” by what happened and apologized to anyone who may have been affected.

Spriggs said the restaurant is fully cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

He also asked that media direct questions to his representative rather than restaurant employees. Spriggs said he is currently out of town but plans to address questions personally when he returns.

The restaurant says it remains open and intends to continue providing service to guests while the investigation moves forward.

Police outline next steps in the investigation

Tybee Island police said when searching Chase’s home their team found more electronic devices, including computers, cellphones, a tablet and thumb drives. Thursday Sept. 24, the lead investigator requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in searching the contents of those devices. Police said they believe that the GBI’s expertise in computer forensics may help law enforcement establish timelines and discover additional victims. As this situation continues to unfold police said more charges may follow.

“Yesterday, we told you about the arrest of Larry Walter Chase, a man alleged to have hidden cameras in the bathrooms of North Beach Bar and Grill. That revelation angered many of you, and left others feeling upset and violated. Please know that we hear you, and we understand. Today, we’re updating you on the next steps in this investigation,” wrote Tybee Island Police in a social media post.

Dedicated victim email established

The Tybee Island Police Department has created a dedicated hotline and email address for potential victims after receiving a flood of calls and messages regarding hidden cameras found inside the bathrooms of North Beach Bar and Grill.

Detectives say preliminary information suggests the suspect, 32-year-old Ryan Kelly, has been affiliated with the popular restaurant since 2018.

Anyone who visited the restaurant and believes they or their children may have been unlawfully recorded is urged to contact investigators at victiminfo@cityoftybee.gov.

In the email, police ask that you include:

• Your full contact information
• The specific date or dates you visited the restaurant
• Photos of potential victims (such as yourself or your children), especially photos taken on the day of your visit to help detectives identify clothing

Police noted that anyone who has already reached out to the department during this investigation does not need to resubmit their information.

Due to the suspect’s long-term affiliation with the business dating back to 2018, police warn that reviewing all evidence and identifying victims will take time, asking for the community’s patience as detectives work through the case.