Check out the new formula for catching a criminal: record them in the act with high-definition security cameras, cut the video together with a soundtrack worthy of a Quentin Tarantino flick, and post the footage on social media until it goes viral.
That's the route that a Boston, Mass. burrito joint called Boloco is taking after a group of thugs armed with sledgehammers broke in and stole a safe filled with cash on Saturday night. Now the owners are using Facebook and YouTube, a cash reward, and some B-reel action music to catch the criminals themselves, according to Boston.com.
"$1,000 cash reward for information that leads to apprehension of these three individuals who broke in and robbed our Boloco Berklee location last night less than 30 minutes after our team locked the doors," workers wrote on Boloco's Facebook page. "We debated about whether to share this ... but it's 2012... and we think everyone needs to see what is happening out there, and work together to reduce and one day eliminate evil people like these three."
Boloco employees almost immediately posted security footage from the heist, where three hoodlums are seen prying through the front door with a crowbar. One of them even pulls out a sledgehammer to try and break one of many security cameras in the taco hut, but fails. Still, the thieves manage to get the safe out the door, after tearing Boloco apart.
Staff wouldn't say how much cash was in the lockbox, but they do claim to have some leads. And the social media angle seems to be working, at least in terms of exposure. The YouTube video already has 5,200 views.
"We may have our $1,000 cash winner if the latest tip leads to an arrest (it was a juicy one)," the Facebook page teases. "But until these guys are behind bars, we need your help."
A manager at the restaurant didn't return a call for comment by The Huffington Post by press time.
CORRECTION: A previous version of the story stated that the Boloco restaurant was in Boylston, MA. It's in Boston, MA, on Boylston Street. We regret the error.