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Canadian police use YouTube to catch ATM thieves

Canadian police have hailed the power of social media after a YouTube video helped catch a gang suspected of breaking into more than 100 ATMs and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Last November, the Halton Regional Police service decided to post its first video on YouTube, featuring CCTV footage of attacks, in a bid to generate leads.

They offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects involved in numerous break & enters across Ontario and Quebec where they targeted ATM machines using an Oxy-Acetylene torch.

With more than 60,000 views, the video has been "instrumental in generating leads which helped police to identify and arrest four people" in connection with the attacks.

The four gang members, Pierre Poirier, William Nolin, and Rejean and Maxime Lavigne have been hit with 65 charges with another 50 set to come from other jurisdictions.