'Just Being Stupid'; Men Face Peeping Tom, Public Drunkenness Charges

A Suwanee resident and his cousin face peeping tom and public drunkenness charges after Gwinnett Police say they crashed into a theater's women's restroom from the ceiling above.

"Just being stupid," one arrestee said of the April 28 incident at the Venture Value Cinemas in Duluth, according to the incident report.

Eduard Alexander Kovynev of a Dalwood Drive address in Suwanee was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center on April 29. His cousin, Eduard Petrovich Kovynev of a Rex, Ga., address was arrested on similar charges.

The matter was first noticed by a Gwinnett Police officer working an off-duty job at the theater. The officer heard a "noticeable and loud crash" coming from the women's restroom area, about 10:30 p.m. The officer then observed two men walking from the women's restroom to the men's restroom.

"Significant damage" was observed in the women's bathroom, including to the ceiling area in the back left corner. Eduard P. Kovynev told police that the men had entered through the men's restroom ceiling.

The officer also said both men had "a strong odor of alcoholic beverage" and their eyes were "red and bloodshot."

A theater manager told police during the investigation that he remembered when the men bought tickets earlier in the evening. The manager described the men as "hitting on" the theater cashier.

A backup Gwinnett Police officer was summoned to help with the arrest, and that officer transported Eduard P. Kovynev to the Gwinnett jail.

Eduard A. Kovynev refused treatment to an arm injury both from jail officers and from Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services officers that were summoned.

The arresting officer concluded that the men were above the women's restroom stalls for about 45-50 minutes, and that "numerous individuals" used the women's restroom during the time the suspects were in the ceiling area.

Also, the report said Eduard A. Kovynev made "irrational" statements to the original arresting officer while being transported to the jail. They included the statement that the officer "would attack and rape (Kovynev's) sister" before leaving the scene.

The incident report said that Eduard A. Kovynev's sister was present in the lobby during the arrest, but she was never properly identified.

This information was obtained from the Gwinnett Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Questions should be directed to suwanee@patch.com.