Social media isn't just about keeping in touch with friends anymore.
Police departments in the Rio Grande Valley are now using the tool to catch criminals.
While it still takes good police work to put a wanted person behind bar, -police say the job has gotten a little easier with technology.
San Juan police put it into action while investigating the death of 36-year-old Rogelio Pardo, Jr. on Monday.
Members of the Tri-City Bombers gang had beaten Pardo and left him to die next to a dumpster.
As police collected evidence and spoke to witnesses just outside of condesa apartments, investigators slowly started piecing together this puzzle.
But with a little help from tips from the San Juan Police Department Facebook fan page, investigators were able to arrest five of the eight suspects in Pardo’s death.
San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez said they got into the social media game about eight months ago.
Chief Gonzlaez said they've already seen a positive return from creating this Facebook account with numerous tips pouring in on a daily basis.
"They can get it at their fingertips,” Chief Gonzalez said. “They can easily send us a web tip and text tip through social media."
The chief said he expects to have the three remaining suspects Reggie Gonzalez, Deon “Prophet” Enriquez and Rudy Adrian “Venado” Ramirez in custody soon.
Their pictures have been posted to the police department’s Facebook page for the world to see.
Chief Gonzalez said tips posted to their Facebook helped track down another murder suspect back in December.
Anyone with information on the death of Rogelio Pardo, Jr. is asked to call San Juan Crime Stoppers at (956) 283-TIPS or contact them on Facebook.
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