Colorado woman uses technology to prove her innocence after false accusation from public cameras

Sure, having cameras everywhere can seem like an invasion of privacy, but it can also be a good thing, especially in situations like this.

In Columbine Valley, Chrisanna Elser was confronted by police who claimed to have irrefutable proof that she was a porch pirate…except, she wasn’t. Boasting about the hundreds of cameras around town, police were convinced they had their culprit dead to rights.

When the sergeant refused to hear her out – or even show her the video “proof” – Elser realized that the onus was on her to prove her own innocence. For weeks, Elser and her husband went on a technological mission to prove her whereabouts on September 22, when the alleged crime was committed.

Combing through apps on her phone, in her vehicle and by compiling snapshots from her Google Timeline, she was able to put together an overwhelming file of evidence proving the cops had the wrong person. Two weeks later, Elser received a letter from the Chief of Police commending her on her detective work and clearing her of all suspicion.

Should it have really been up to Elser to work that hard to exonerate herself, though?