We’ve pointed out before that the Bridgeville Police Department is really good at social media.
Now, the department is making headlines far beyond Western Pennsylvania for a recent Facebook post warning a robbery suspect that he’s about to arrested. The story has been picked up media outlets including the U.K. Daily Mail, CBS News, the Associated Press, and more.
Over the weekend, Bridgeville Police Chief Chad King posted photos of Robert Leroy Watkins III, who was wanted in connection with the Thanksgiving Day robbery of the Gulf gas station on Railroad Street. The message read, in part:
Note to Robert: you will probably be reading this post within a few hours after it is released. The same way you did with the original armed robbery post, as you were holed up, hiding, in that apartment with people that you thought were your friends.
We have the video of you changing your clothes before, and after, the robbery. We have you stashing your clothes, your fingerprints were on the counter you slammed and, best of all, your hat is full of your DNA. You have the option to turn yourself in. Contact us as listed above. It’s only a matter of time before we find you. Make it easier on yourself now, because we WILL find you.
Chief
The post was shared more than 850 times, which means it was likely seen by many tens of thousands of people, at minimum.
Last night, police announced that the suspect, Robert Leroy Watkins III, is now in custody: