UPD: Facebook Tips Lead To Another Arrest
Utica, NY (WIBX) - So, how's that Facebook thing working out? Utica police officials say, quite well actually.
In fact, Sergeant Steven Hauck, also the department's Public Information Officer, says useful tips from the UPD's Facebook page, launched in November, are becoming 'common.'
His comments come as police have announced the arrest of a Barneveld woman for grand larceny, identity theft and criminal possession of stolen property, all E-felonies.
The investigation began earlier this month when a credit card was stolen from a purse at the Dollar Tree in Utica, Hauck said. Police obtained surveillance photos of woman leaving another local store after attempting to use the stolen card. It didn't take long before tips came rolling in about the unknown woman after still photos were posted on the department's Facebook page.
"We got a couple that night, and when we checked our messages the next day, we had six calls."
All of those calls were pointing police in Fiore's direction, Hauck said. Investigators reached out to Fiore and confirmed she was the same woman in the photo and began their own investigation, he said.
"This is probably our fourth arrest, just strictly off of Facebook, where either a person was wanted or identified. Generally, when we put something on there we get a very quick, and quite a large response," Hauck said.
Hauck says, as always, all tips are anonymous.
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