CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The owner of a Clinton Township 7-Eleven is accused of taking obscene photographs of unsuspecting female customers.

Police said Richard Aquino (pictured, right), who owns the convenience store at 15 Mile and Kelly roads, would squat down at a low shelf and reach out his camera phone to take photographs up the skirts of unsuspecting women. A 19-year-old woman reported to police that she was at the check-out counter when she saw him crouched down, with his arm extended under her skirt to take a photograph, Local 4 reported.

Officers inspected the store owner's cell phone and discovered several months' worth of close-up photographs of women's underwear, buttocks and chests, Local 4 reported. The background of the photographs revealed the store's interior or parking lot, the station reported.

Aquino turned himself in to authorities Wednesday, according to Local 4.

"This is a pretty serious allegation," said judge Sebastian Lucido during a Wednesday court appearance by Aquino. Lucido said the offense was comparable to an assault.

Customer Jacqui Truszkowski said if she became a victim, she would feel "violated."

"I wouldn't go there anymore," said Truszkowski.

Aquino's attorney said the allegations are "unfortunately a combination of hysteria and the technology of the times."

Aquino could face up to five years in prison if convicted of charges in connection with the investigation.