CHARLESTOWN, IN (WAVE) - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. We all know how powerful social media can be. One click and the world can see what you share. One mother in Charlestown decided to do just that after her son's moped was stolen.
Victoria Montgomery decided to use the power of social media as another way to try to help her son get back what was stolen from him. They, along with the help of police, quickly found what they were looking for.
Montgomery's son, Joshua Kaestner, 15, enjoys his moped.
"It's better than walking," Kaestner said.
Over the summer he did jobs around town--yardwork, mowing and tree trimming. After a summer of sweat, he saved up $600 to buy the moped he wanted.
"I was a whole lot more happy," he said.
He was happy enough to bring it to his high school on the third day of school. That day didn't end well for him. He came home and told his mother, "It's gone! It's lost!," His mother, Victoria Montgomery said, "My fear was that is was his moped."
She called police and filed a report. Then she decided to do something else. She went to Facebook.com then she posted a picture of her son Josh and his moped from the first day of school. Then she let social media take over.
"Within an hour, I had 4-5 re-posts, shares," she said. "And a lot of people looking out. We had got the word out about it, so that if we saw it, we could again, call the police and see if they would find it."
Major Jason Broady is Assistant Chief of the Charlestown Police Department. "They were able to locate the moped at Creekside apartments which is just a couple blocks from Charlestown High School," Broady said.
The moped wasn't in the best shape and needs fixing. Joshua said it had been repainted and the ignition was ripped out, among other damage.
If you're in a similar situation, police and social media can help.
"Just take any recent pictures and post them. Put a little message, short and sweet and ask people to share it," Montgomery said.
Major Broady said, "From lost pets to missing people to stolen cars to stolen mopeds. Social media is a great tool."
In this instance, to help reunite Joshua with his moped.
"(I was) Relieved. I was happy," Joshua said after he got his moped back.
A mother and son who appreciate the power of social media.
Major Broady said police will look at surveillance video to try to see who stole that moped. Broady said charges could be pending, once a suspect or suspects are identified. Meanwhile Joshua said he'll have to earn money all over again to be able to fix his damaged moped.
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Victoria Montgomery
