Offender nicked on Facebook

Facebook users helped identify a Cromwell man eight months after a theft near Queenstown, police said yesterday.

Queenstown police started using a Facebook page to upload closed-circuit television photographs and videos of offenders in the resort in 2008.

Since then, police estimate the site has helped identify one or two offenders each month.

The page now has 2630 fans.

Sergeant Andy Reed, of Cromwell, said the unemployed 26-year-old man was charged with theft and was expected to appear in the Alexandra District Court on February 2.

A picture of the offender posted on the Queenstown Police page was spotted by Facebook users.

The alleged theft of a wallet from a Westpac ATM at Terrace Junction, Frankton, was on May 8 last year, he said.

He was interviewed and charged by police on Wednesday.

Constable Sean Drader, of Queenstown, said Facebook was now widely used by police.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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