In this Oct. 13, 2009, file photo, Assistant US Attorney Michael Scoville displays part of the Facebook page, and an enlarged profile photo, of fugitive Maxi Sopo in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Agencies - Dopey criminals are making life easier for cops by bragging about their murders, rapes and robberies on social networking sites, often with telltale photos or clips that can put them away.
Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube have become everyday crime-fighting tools, police say.
Gun-toting Manhattan thief James Roberts gave detectives all they needed to bust him: ill-advised crowing on his MySpace page a day after he mugged a man at a Chelsea bus stop.
"This guy's boasting, 'I've got new bling!'" said a police source.
Roberts, 27, sealed his fate with pictures of himself and his ill-gotten gain, which included an expensive watch and ring he swiped from the victim at 10th Avenue and 25th Street in 2008.
"He's sitting on the couch, and then there's a close-up of his hand with the ring out," the cop said. "It's very distinguishable, with blue and white stones."
Detectives showed the photo to the victim, who quickly identified the stolen ring. Roberts and his cohort, Darryl Calier, were convicted of robbery, and are serving five years each.
Prosecutors said Facebook revelations were "instrumental" in busting up a ring of drug dealers who sold coke, ecstasy and designer dope at nightclubs like Rebel and the Roseland Ballroom last year.
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