Ad

Overwhelming Social Media Response Helps City Police Contact Suspects Sought for Mall Shoplifting

By Jeff Toquinto on January 11, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

When it comes to using social media to help solve a case, the Bridgeport Police Department has found success more than once. And Officer L.D. Janssen has used it before to varying levels of success.
 
However, a recent media posting of two individuals wanted for shoplifting at Ulta Beauty at the Meadowbrook Mall turned out to be the most successful to date. Janssen, who originally posted the wanted pair on a segment of WDTV’s “Monday’s Most Wanted,” got more response than ever from that segment, a follow-up posting on Connect-Bridgeport and other local social media pages
 
“We received a significant amount of calls,” said Janssen. “I had 10 phone calls on it, including the female in question, and had information from (Connect-Bridgeport) and responses from Facebook, including the Harrison County Rant Room page.”
 
There was one thing that let Janssen know those contacting him were on the right page.
 
“The responses were 100 percent consistent. Heck, I was a little tired of hearing the same names and was hoping for some different responses,” Janssen joked. “In all seriousness, it made this a lot easier, particularly when a suspect contacts you.”
 
The pair are accused of taking 22 items valued at $722 from Ulta in December. They will be charged with misdemeanor shoplifting. Janssen said after researching records the misdemeanor charges will go into place as opposed to felony charges.
 
Janssen said the couple involved made contact and will have the opportunity to come into the Bridgeport Police Department and explain their side of the situation. The officer was working up a criminal complaint Wednesday that will likely lead to an arrest. The criminal complaint is sent to a Harrison County magistrate, who authorizes a warrant for an arrest. Once that’s done, the pair will be questioned by Bridgeport Police to further the process along.
 
“It was great to see the community come together and help us,” said Janssen. “A lot of the time, it’s a group effort and this was a perfect example of that.”



Connect Bridgeport
© 2024 Connect-Bridgeport.com