Social Media Helps Police Return Camera Full Of Family Memories To Owners

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (CBS4) - Broomfield police will be happily returning a stolen video camera full of family memories after using social media to track down the owners.

The police were getting ready to auction or destroy the camera that had been in their evidence room since August. The white, handheld RCA camcorder was found Aug. 4 in the Westlake subdivision. It was spotted somewhere in the grass in the 3100 block of West 134th Place. Somebody turned it over to police. After 60 days they usually auction or destroy unclaimed items. But this time, officers played the video.

"Saw some really cool videos, some cherished family moments so we put it on social media," said Sgt. Brendan Sullivan of the Broomfield Police Department.

One clip they posted shows a giggling baby girl. It is precious video of her taking her first steps. It got thousands of views and Facebook worked. The owner called police shortly after friends recognized the family.

When asked what he thinks about social media, Sullivan said "It's wonderful."

You can hear the voice of Lauren Lawver on the video. She was camera shy when CBS4 contacted her, but she told CBS4's Kathy Walsh that she never knew the camera was missing. She suspects it was stolen when her car was vandalized in July. It was found just a block from the Lawver home.

The baby in the video, Gianna, is now 6 years old. Other movies on the camcorder were made by the Lawver's three kids. Lawver says the family is totally happy to get their memories back.

Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.