Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home police arrested and charged two suspects last week in connection with a robbery at Safeway, thanks to the community through the use of social media.
Taken into custody were a 16-year-old female, of Sweet Home, whom police did not identify further, and Mehgan N. Dean, 20, of Sweet Home. Both were charged with third-degree robbery, said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. That was based on an alleged threat of force during a theft.
Dean was transported to Linn County Jail, and the juvenile was transported to Linn-Benton Juvenile Detention Center.
Police had a good picture of the two females from video surveillance at Safeway, 1540 Main St., said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. After attempting to identify the suspects among the Police Department staff, the department posted it to Facebook.
The post had accrued a “reach” of more than 24,000, Lynn said. That’s the most so far for any post on the Sweet Home Police Department’s Facebook page.
Members of the public quickly identified the suspects, Lynn said.
He said the department appreciates the public’s help.
“We might not have solved it without the input of the public.”