Store catches alleged bong stealer with help from YouTube

ALLSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - A local glassware shop called "The Joint" in Allston went to Facebook and YouTube to catch one of the suspects who robbed their store of $20,000 worth of glass bongs.

Employees said the suspects were inside the Commonwealth Avenue store earlier in the night on February 24 asking about the products.

"The kids just came in. It was their first time in the store so we started chatting it up, doing our jobs, just doing pipe talk, answering questions. Taking down pieces that we think are cool and showing them what they're about," said manager Angie Trombley.

Later the next morning, the two suspects threw a brick through the window and stole merchandise, including a $4,000 piece called "The Frankenstein."

After viewing the surveillance video, the store put it on the internet, asking for help on YouTube and Facebook.

The video got 7,000 views, and tips came pouring in.

Police were able to arrest one of the suspects. The other is still on the loose.

Not all of the merchandise was recovered, but Frankenstein will be back on display soon.