Alleged Saratoga Springs Instagram stalker arrested

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A 62-year-old Albany man who allegedly posted salacious photos and videos of women and girls running through the city on Instagram was arrested Tuesday on a stalking charge.

Charles “Chuck” Ross was charged by Saratoga Springs police Tuesday morning with fourth-degree stalking, a misdemeanor, Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino said. Ross was arraigned in City Court and released on bail.

On Aug. 28, police said they were working with State Park Police on the matter, as many of the photos were taken in Saratoga Spa State Park. On Sept. 6, city police issued a warrant for Ross, who was living on Grant Avenue in Albany. It is unclear where Ross was picked up.

Since the warrant was issued, Ross’s Instagram account, “charlesross9021,” which was once public, has gone private. Many of the photos featured close-up images and videos of women’s breasts and buttocks.

In several videos, a man is heard describing himself as an amateur photographer and asking to take a woman’s picture. In others, women are seen from a distance walking down the street or jogging. In many of the videos, the camera drops down to or zooms in on the women’s chests.

When the Times Union spoke with Ross last month at Grant Avenue, he acknowledged having the same name as the account owner but denied running the account or taking any of the videos. He did confirm that he was the same man who faced charges five years ago related to videos he shot while following young girls. Albany police also confirmed that he was arrested in 2008 in Washington Park for unlawful surveillance.

News Channel 13 first reported the arrest.