New Jersey State Police found out fast just how powerful social media can be as a crime-fighting tool.
They posted on Facebook and Twitter, asking the public to help them track down four burglary suspects. Within 30 minutes, police were "flooded with dozens of tips" that helped them identify one of the suspects.
"We are excited to see how our social media outreach has morphed into an effective crime fighting tool," said Capt. Stephen Jones, Director of Communications for the State Police in a statement Tuesday. "We're not yet tapping its full potential, and I believe the power of this medium is still undiscovered by many law enforcement agencies."
Troopers posted images of three men inside a Millstone Township home in September. One of the guys climbed through the kitchen window and let the three others inside. Together, police say the men stole a safe and various electronics.
Tips from social media eventually led to the arrest of all but one of the suspects.
Jesse James Shawger, 21, Thomas LaSala, 24, and John Anderson, 27, are each charged with burglary and theft. They are all from Howell, N.J.
The fourth suspect has eluded arrest. Investigators are asking anyone with information about him to call Hamilton Station Troopers Mimikos or Boyd at 609-584-5000, extension 5297.
