A video posted on YouTube may have helped solve a small town crime that saw go-karts disappearing from a track in west Quebec.
The frustrated owner of a go-kart track in Quyon, Que., northwest of Gatineau, caught the theft on video and posted footage on YouTube in an effort to help catch the culprits. Within hours, police made six arrests.
"We thought maybe if we post it on YouTube someone will recognize them," said Catherine Lalonde, owner of Quyon Karting.
Her business was robbed twice in two days in August. On the third attempt, Lalonde got the act on tape.
"At that point we purchased some hunting cameras like this and we've installed many of them all over the property," she said.
The video shows five young people sneaking around the track at Quyon Karting. Once the video was posted online, it quickly went viral.
"I think within 24 hours there were 400 hits and within 24 hours the five arrests were made," said Lalonde.
A sixth person was arrested within days. All six boys are from the Quyon area, and range in age from 13 to 16.
The youth have been released from custody, and police say charges are pending.
Outaouais regional police say technology can definitely help fight crime.
"Even us as a police force we are using more and more YouTube and all of those websites," said Const. Martin Fournel.
Crime Stoppers is also turning to social media as a way to get information about unsolved crimes.
As for Lalonde, she's offering a $500-reward for the return of her go-karts. One is still missing and the reward is yet to be claimed. If no one claims the cash, Lalonde says she will donate it to a local youth-based organization.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Natalie Pierosara
