Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Fighting crime with Facebook and social media? That's what one Midlands businesswoman is doing after vandalism at her shop.
Revente in Five Points is using Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to hopefully catch a man who destroyed a window at the store.
"Around 8:30 I checked my e-mail and had a message from my manager saying please contact me as soon as possible I've been here since 4 a.m. cleaning up from a broken window," said Revente owner Debbie McDaniel of finding out about the crime.
Security cameras caught video of the incident early Friday morning. As a group walked past the shop, one appears to throw himself into window, causing several hundred dollars worth of damage.
"It was an irresponsible act...it was just ridiculous there was no reason for them to do something like that," said McDaniel.
Police responded to the scene, but McDaniel still wanted to take matters into her own hands, posting video and photos of the vandalism using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
"There are just so many people who can see it and it was amazing to me to see how many of my friends shared it and friends of theirs that I'm not even acquainted with," said McDaniel.
Before breaking the window, the group had to pass a sign that warns the area is under surveillance. Now the store is using the footage and social media to publicize their reward of $200 and a skateboard for information about the group members' identities.
Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott says social media has led his department to tips on cases and as long as a victim doesn't disrupt a case, he can't see any problem with people taping into their online resources as well.
"With her putting it out on a page we may get a suspect," said Scott.
McDaniel says she's already received a tip on who's on the tape, and even after the case is behind her, she says people looking to cause trouble in Five Points should think twice.
"They need to remember we have cameras everywhere and this big sister is watching you," said McDaniel.
If you have information on the case you can call or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.