Jul 1, 2008 11:11 am US/Pacific
Sacto Neighbors Hoping YouTube Helps Catch Thieves
SACRAMENTO (CBS) ―
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Surveillance video of one of the bike thefts
CBS
A homeowner is turning to YouTube to help identify a pair of suspected thieves, but authorities warn that such actions can do more harm than good.
The video shows two men attempting to steal a motorbike from a local home, but they have no luck, and eventually take off empty-handed. Dave Johnson wasn't so fortunate, and thieves were able to steal his bike last Thursday morning.
Dave didn't have any cameras of his own, so he posted an ad on Craigslist in hopes of warning other local bike owners. He soon received a response from a neighbor, who had caught the two men on his surveillance camera.
"Somebody tried to steal his bike about 5:00 in the morning," Dave said.
They posted the video on YouTube, but authorities say they may have hurt their case.
Sgt. Tim Curran of the Sacramento Sheriff's Department said releasing possible evidence in any case can damage the chances of getting a conviction in court.
"It pollutes the jury pool, if you will," he said. "A lot of times, things can come out from that video that the suspect can use in their defense."
But Dave thinks using YouTube may help get his bike back. "Any place that shows their picture is a good idea to me," he said.
The Sheriff's Department says that victims should turn over video evidence to their local law enforcement agency and let them decide if it should be released.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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