Los Gatos cops credit security video registry for faster crime-fighting

LOS GATOS, Calif. (KGO) -- In two Bay Area cities, police are crediting the cameras for burglary arrests and police in a third city are hoping video will help them capture an attempted murderer.

Last year, police in Los Gatos started a registry called Los Gatos on Watch, a program where residents can give police information about their security camera systems. Eighty residents and businesses are participating. Police now know where cameras are and where they're pointed.

"It's solving crime in a timely manner and giving the officers the ability to identify suspects and react on investigative leads in a timely fashion," said Los Gatos police Lt. Clinton Tada.

Bob Skubis owns Belgium Diamonds. He had one of the first outdoor cameras downtown. His video has been used as evidence by police.

"I think there was a break-in or a fight," said Bob Skubis, a Los Gatos jewelry store owner. "We were able to provide video and it just happened to be within our scope."

Thanks to the registry, video of a man and his car led to the arrest of the suspected thief who stole packages from homes in Los Gatos.

In Oakland Thursday, police arrested three people suspected of burglarizing homes and businesses.

What cracked the case was video from a security camera. It has good shot of the plate, good description of suspect.

In Fremont, police arrested a thief who stole packages from the steps of homes after first identifying him through surveillance cameras.

San Francisco police Thursday released graphic security video of a gas station robbery that went bad. The robbers shot at the frightened clerk who ran off. Investigators hope this video will help catch them.