On surveillance images you see a suspect arriving on an electric scooter. He drives away a little later while holding another e-scooter. Other images show the suspect cycling away with an electric bicycle. A man looks for tips about the perpetrator and posts the images on social media. All well intentioned, but not a good idea. Didier Vandecasteele, chief of police zone Grensleie: “Publishing images of someone is always subject to camera legislation and privacy legislation. If you do that, you may be prosecuted for it. So it can still turn against you, even if you have good intentions.”
Dangerous
The images generate a lot of reactions. And through a tip, the man can also track down the suspect. He can even overpower him and hand him over to the police. It ends well, but again it’s not a good idea. “It is dangerous, because you never know how the perpetrator will react. For the same money, the man is armed and you become a victim for the second time. That man is very driven and we thank the citizen who wants to help the police. But remember, if you inform us first, you will be safer yourself, and then you have a better chance that the case will be handled properly.”
The suspect is an 18-year-old man from France. He must appear in court early next month. The electric bicycle has now been found, but the e-scooter has not.