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Thieves Caught on Video, Posted to YouTube - Help the Store Owner Catch 'Em!

by Terrence O'Brien on November 7, 2007 at 10:13 AM


YouTube has provided us with many nights (and mornings) of endless entertainment and sometimes even a little education. But now YouTube is being leveraged as a tool to dole out justice by frustrated shop owner Bob Guertin, owner of Big Sticks Fine Cigars in Mesa, AZ.

Guertin's store was ripped off by a couple shameless thieves who hit during the early part of the day when the shop is quiet. One man distracted the stores employees while his accomplice snatched a pair of wrist watches valued at $2,000.

In most cases, that would be the end of the story. Petty theft is usually not a top priority for law enforcement, and the media aren't going to cover your average shoplifter. So Guertin got creative.

He posted the surveillance video of the robbery on YouTube, along with the thieves' license plate number, description, and an offer of $1,000 reward.

The two men's faces are clearly visible in the video, and if his stunt leads to the arrest of the thieves and the recovery of his merchandise, Guertin is convinced the YouTube tactic will catch on.

From AZ Central

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Tags: big sticks fine cigars, BigSticksFineCigars, crime, criminal, theft, youtube

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