CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of people were arrested after protests in uptown turned violent last month, and now Channel 9 is learning exactly how police were able to track down the people they say were responsible for damaging several businesses in the Queen City.
The protests began after the deadly officer-involved-shooting of Keith Scott.
SPECIAL SECTION: Keith Scott shooting
Officers said they started by reviewing surveillance video from businesses, then used social media to help identify specific people involved.
After those protests became violent, a small team of detectives was tasked with finding those responsible for the damage that was left behind.
They sent out photos to all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers to help make the final arrests.
“It's not just good enough to catch them in the act on video, but we actually positively identify them and say without a shadow of a doubt this is the suspect we need to charge in the offense,” CMPD said.
Officers issued 120 warrants, and 31 people were charged with crimes in the aftermath of the riots.
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