If you happen to possess a video of a crime, but the authorities fail to identify the suspect, why don’t you try to upload the video to YouTube and let the online community identify the suspect. This is exactly what happened to a New Zealand laptop thief caught after security camera footage was posted on YouTube.

Dawson Anthony Bliss, 50, of Hastings, was identified by one YouTube viewer as the man on the video who slowly circling a store, stole a laptop by slipping it into his overcoat.

The posted video has attracted 500,000 hits from round the globe. It was synced with the Pink Panther theme tune.

Bliss was convicted for theft in Greymouth District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty.

The court was told that the entire performance was posted on the video sharing website YouTube.

Judge Gary MacAskill fined Bliss NZ$2,000 (US$1,479). Bliss was also ordered to pay NZ$1,990 (US$1,470) reparation.

Even if Bliss is able to pay the fine and reparation, he may still suffer the consequences of his wrongdoing for a lifetime. Imagine being seen by half a million people caught in the act of stealing, and worse, this online video may run for longer than a lifetime (it will always just be a google away). 

The laptop certainly wasn’t worth it.

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Entry was posted on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 9:36 pm under YouTube.

Read more entries by Ruben Francia.
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