Officials in El Cajon are on the lookout for a vacuum bandit after a man was caught on camera lifting two high-end Dyson vacuums from a local Best Buy. The El Cajon Police Department has reached out to the community to help identify the suspect who casually strolled out of the store with $1,500 worth of merchandise without attempting to pay.

The police have attained a clear image from the store's surveillance footage, showcasing the individual believed to have committed the theft. The image has been widely circulated through social media in hopes that someone might recognize the vacuum thief. As per the department's Facebook post, anyone with information has been urged to contact PSO Jamison via email at [email protected]. "This individual pictured here was caught on surveillance camera stealing two Dyson vacuums from Best Buy," the post read. The suspect can be seen cradling the unpaid items as he exits, seemingly oblivious to or unconcerned with the legal consequences.

The police are considering the possibility that the stolen goods might turn up online. They have warned the public to be vigilant, specifically mentioning OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace. "Maybe you’ve unknowingly met him through OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace?" the El Cajon Police questioned in their post, suggesting that these platforms might inadvertently serve as a marketplace for the stolen vacuums.

As the investigation unfolds, local residents and online communities are encouraged to aid in the identification process. The El Cajon Police have made it clear they are relying partially on the power of social media to spread the word and gather clues. Such efforts to harness the collective surveillance of the public have increasingly become a go-to strategy in soliciting leads on cases like these.