MONTOURSVILLE -- If you went pool hopping 20 years ago, you stood a pretty good chance of getting away with it, but these days social media and security cameras are helping police solve cases like this one in Lycoming County.
A trail camera set up outside a home on Elm Street in Montoursville caught uninvited guests. Montoursville police say four young women were trespassing when they used a hot tub without permission late at night.
"They said it happened once before recently they noticed a beer bottle in their pool and the noticed the hot tub cover was left open and that raised suspicions so they put a trail camera out there and captured these images,” said Deputy Chief Jason Bentley.
Deputy Chief Jason Bentley posted the pictures online. Within 15 minutes tipsters helped police put names to the faces.
"If he had come to us and said, 'hey, we found a beer bottle in our pool and our hot tub open,' we wouldn't have put effort into this. It would have been put on file in case more information came in later," said Deputy Chief Bentley.
Neighbors are glad to hear more people are putting cameras out at night because even 10 years ago there would have been less of a chance these trespassers would have been caught.
"Trespassing when you're 20 years old and in both of our opinions they are kids but they also know not to do something like that," said Elizabeth Labacher from Montoursville.
"30-some years ago I'm glad they didn't have cameras. Glad they didn’t do that kind of stuff because I was a teenager, too” said Steve Sheare from Montoursville.
Montoursville police say all four women have been identified. One of the women turned herself in after seeing the post online. No word if charges will be filed.
