REDLANDS – A bicycle theft suspect, identified by surveillance photos sent out on social media, was arrested by Redlands Police on Wednesday.
The department’s Facebook page and Twitter account posts sent fliers of wanted suspects and persons of interest in various crimes, according to Carl Baker in a news release. A 25-year-old man was contacted by police on suspicion of stealing a bicycle in the 600 block of Jeremy Court. A Facebook user identified the man in the photo to police. The bicycle has not yet been recovered.
Since July 28, said Lt. Travis Martinez, who heads of the department’s Special Operations Bureau, police have posted seven fliers displaying surveillance photos of crimes. Those include mainly theft crimes, he said. It’s been only a few days into the new initiative, he said, before the first successful identification has been made. Misdemeanor charges were filed by police through the District Attorney’s office on the bicycle theft.
“Investigators are seeking information that would help identify the person in the photos,” said Martinez, adding that fliers “include a description of the circumstances of the crime, including the date, time and location.” Social media users are also led to the proper reporting procedures, he said.
Martinez specified that providing suspect information on line is not advisable, “in order to avoid making potential false accusations public or jeopardizing the police investigation.” Redlands police already uses several surveillance cameras located at strategic positions around the city, mostly in the downtown area. Police have been able to solve several crimes and avert others due to that use.
Read More:
Redlands Chamber of Commerce: RPD spearheading a new approach
Redlands Daily Facts: RPD use social media
