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Man accused of taking photo up 17-year-old's dress at clothing store

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man is accused of using his cellphone to take a picture up a 17-year-old girl’s dress at a department store in University City.

"I definitely feel violated. I feel like I'm never safe, like I was shopping with my mom and I'm not even safe," the 17-year-old, who didn't want to be identified, said.

The teenager was in the Bargain Hunt Department Store Sunday on University City Boulevard when she said she noticed Thomas Mattingly, 22, taking her picture.

(Thomas Mattingly)

"I said, 'Did you just take picture up my dress?'" the 17-year-old said.

She said Mattingly tried to deny it after he was caught.

"He continued to deny it while messing on his phone, looking like he was trying to delete pictures," the 17-year-old said.

The teenager and her mother yelled for help and a couple grabbed Mattingly and held him down until police arrived.

"It's good know there is still good people in the world and people who care for women and people who aren't being treated fairly," the victim said.

Mattingly is charged with felony secret peeping.

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