KETTERING POLICE SOLVING CASES USING SOCIAL MEDIA
Kettering officers getting help, information regarding local offenses online from the public.
The Kettering Police KETTERING —
Department has used social media successfully in the past week to solve a hit-and-run incident and to seek tips that will help investigations into other crimes, officials said.
Within an hour of posting a plea for help on Facebook about a hit-skip incident last week, officers were able to catch the person they were seeking.
The department later posted a thank you to those who helped bring the case to closure.
“Yesterday, we asked for your help to ID a subject in a hit and run,” the department posted on its site. “Within 20 minutes of the post, Facebook came through and the subject was ID’d. Later that day he came to KPD to accept responsibility for his actions. Great work and thank you for your quick response.”
An investigation is still ongoing regarding people who broke into Arrow Wine at Far Hills Ave and Dorothy Lane from two different incidents, one in August and the other in September. Det. Ryan Vandegrift is working the cases, and tips can be left on social media or by reaching Vandegrift at 937-296-2497 or at ryan.vandegrift@ketteringoh.org
Two suspects who used credit cards stolen in Kettering recently to buy Visa gift cards and who attempted to buy additional gift cards and merchandise are still being sought by police. Det. Dave Marcum is hoping for leads either by social media or contacting him
continued from B1 at 937-296-2564 or at David. marcum@ketteringoh.org
“Keep watching for photos and videos to help us solve crimes impacting our city, citizens and your neighbors,” Officer Joe Ferrell said.
Kettering police still want residents who have home security cameras to register them to help officers gather evidence and solve crimes.
The effort is the latest example of how area cities are using home surveillance systems as tools for fighting crimes.
“Burglaries, property crimes ... a camera can obviously catch anything, but those are probably the primary things that we’re concerned about,” Ferrell said.
For more information, call Kettering police at 937296-2555. Contact this reporter at 937225-0586 or email Wayne. Baker@coxinc.com.