SEATTLE -- A multi-million dollar developer is accused of filming "up skirt" video of several women at a local grocery store.

David Zarett, 44, who was arrested outside Metropolitan Market on 100 Mercer Street in lower Queen Anne on Aug. 15, has been charged with felony voyeurism as well as third-degree assault.

Police said he hid a video camera inside a mail tube, took into the store and shot video with the camera pointed up three women's skirts.

"It was very disturbing," said Bob Major, who helped hold down the man who he thought was a shoplifter.

According to the document of probable cause, one of the alleged victims said she was shopping with a companion at the store around 4:30 p.m. when she noticed Zarett, whom she did not know, standing "uncomfortably close" behind her. She also noted that a cardboard tube had been placed on the floor.

The woman, who was wearing a dress at the time, said Zarett gave her a "weird vibe" and prompted to seek out her boyfriend who was nearby. She hinted to him that Zarett had been acting strangely, and the couple decided to move away in order to observe Zarett.

The couple noted Zarett walked around the store carrying a shopping basket and a postal cardboard tube, about 3 feet in length with a small hole near one end, near his chest.

Then they said Zarett approached two unsuspecting women, who were both wearing skirts, and placed the tube on the ground behind them, adjusting the angle of the tube as he did so.

The woman's boyfriend, who suspected Zarett was using the tube to look up the women's skirts, decided he had seen enough and confronted Zarett.

The man said Zarett immediately gained the "oh (expletive) face" and froze momentarily before throwing down his basket and trying to run out of his store.

Amid the frenzy, Zarett knocked down an 81-year-old man and caused him to cut his head, the document said. Those who saw the elderly man fall then pounced.

"Everybody just piled on this guy," said one witness.

Several men held Zarett down until police arrived. The cardboard tube, meanwhile, came apart and revealed cable wires and a remote lens. Those detaining Zarett then noticed he was holding a black camera that was emitting a green light. Afraid he may be trying to erase footage, they then took the camera away from Zarett.

An investigator who later reviewed the video captured by his camera said it contained "up skirt" footage of three unidentified women, none of whom appeared to be aware they were being filmed. The video also contained several shots of Zarett in various departments of the store, the investigator said.

Zarett was arrested, but has since posted the $2,500 bail. He has no past criminal history.

KOMO News tried to contact Zarett, but he could not be found at the address he provided to police. His lawyer said Zarett would not be able to comment until he has had a chance to review the police report and charging papers.

Zarett will be arraigned on Sept. 3. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

The elderly man who was "pushed or shoved" by Zarett required nine stitches about a black eye that was swollen shut for five days.