Jason Austin, a 26 year old man has been arrested in Chicago for allegedly robbing and killing an off-duty police officer – Officer Robert Soto. Robert Soto was able to call 911 to alert police, even after he was shot in the head and chest during the robbery.
Police quickly scoured the area and went straight for the security cameras that were installed on local businesses, to find the vehicle described by Robert Soto. Police officers swiftly found the maroon vehicle that they claimed belonged to Jason Austion in the area on surveillance tapes before and after the shooting. Chief of Detectives Thomas Byrne stated on the Fox News that “Video is Key, video is a critical component of a lot of investigations”. Without the video security camera footage from the local businesses, police may not have been able to make such a rapid arrest, and perhaps the killer might not have been brought to justice.
The family of the victim held a wake today for the slain officer, and were still in disbelief and mourning of their loss, but said that it was good that they were able to make such a quick arrest.
The security cameras for your home or business provide many benefits to you personally, but at the same time, your security cameras might also be able to provide key evidence to help bring justice to those who choose to disobey the law. The more criminals that can be caught swiftly, the less chance they will have to do the same thing again, perhaps the next time it would affect you directly. Security cameras are prevention, and they are needed evidence when something occurs.
9-22-08 – Update – Jason Austin, the man arrested in connection with this shooting was released for lack of evidence, and is now suing the Chicago Police Department for his arrest and allegedly coercing witnesses to point the finger at him for the murder. Jason Austin and his family have maintained his innocence since his arrest, and claim that his vehicle was in a body shop at the time the crime was committed, so he could not have been driving the vehicle and that he is not a cop killer and would not have shot the officer. Witnesses who initially pointed the finger at him have now gone on record as saying that they were beaten and coerced by the Chicago Police Department.
Keep yourself protected,
Our thoughts go out to the families of all affected by this tragedy.
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