Crime & Safety

Walnut Creek Man Charged With Installing Hidden Cameras At Starbucks

Steven Novelli, 54, faces 83 counts including attempting to produce child pornography, eavesdropping, installing a hidden camera & burglary.

Authorities allege that on two separate occasions, Steven Novelli of Walnut Creek installed hidden cameras in a Starbucks restroom at 1340 Main Street in Walnut Creek.
Authorities allege that on two separate occasions, Steven Novelli of Walnut Creek installed hidden cameras in a Starbucks restroom at 1340 Main Street in Walnut Creek. (Shutterstock)

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A Walnut Creek man is facing 83 felony and misdemeanor charges following his arrest on suspicion of installing hidden cameras in a Starbucks restroom, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said.

Steven John Novelli, 54, has remained in custody at the Martinez jail since his arrest Aug. 25 by the Walnut Creek Police Department.

Novelli is charged with attempting to produce child pornography, eavesdropping, installing a hidden camera, and burglary.

Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police served a search warrant Aug. 10 at Novelli’s residence and seized numerous items of digital evidence after he was identified as the suspect who had on two separate occasions installed hidden cameras in a Starbucks restroom at 1340 Main Street in Walnut Creek, according to the DA's Office.

Charges were filed Monday in the case and Novelli was scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for arrangement at Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez.

Find out what's happening in Walnut Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Walnut Creek Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

"Law enforcement is actively looking to talk with anyone who was at the Starbucks in Walnut Creek on June 4, 2022, between the hours of 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm, and July 23, 2022, between the hours of 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm," the DA's Office said. "Anyone with information about this case should contact Walnut Creek Detective Tyler Bertolozzi at tbertolozzi@walnutcreekpd.com."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.