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OREM — Police have found an alternate use for a Craigslist section geared toward the ‘love at first sight’ that got away.

Lt. Craig Martinez, who manages social media at Orem Police Department, used the ‘Missed Connections’ section in the personals area of Craigslist Wednesday to put out an ad about a suspected shoplifter who escaped a store without getting arrested.

“We had a woman that went into Target and stole just a little over $500 worth of merchandise,” Martinez said.

The ad placed on Craigslist and copied to Facebook took on the tone of many other lonely heart messages found in the ‘Missed Connections’ section.

“It was a cloudy day on the 26th of March,” the message read. “I saw you at Tar-Shay (Target) in Orem. You didn’t see me, but I was watching you from above. Your hair was long, brown and draped to the side. The blue cardigan you were wearing looked so soft. You selected some clothes, diapers and a curling iron (Which you don’t need because I liked your hair just the way it was). I was waiting with anticipation at the checkout line, hoping to get to know you better. That time never came, you didn’t show up, but I did see you leave the store without any bags to carry your stuff.

As you left, the sun had just broke through the clouds as a sign that we should’ve met, my car was parked at the red curb out front. But alas, it wasn’t so ;(………… You left in a hurry in your 4-door, burgundy colored car. I hope you read this and will take a shot and give me a call. My number is 911. Signed-LT Orem PD.”

“I’ve never heard of a police department throwing out a ‘missed connection’ on there, so I thought, ‘why not give it a shot!’” Martinez said.

The ad apparently worked.

Later Wednesday, Martinez said within an hour of posting the ad, detectives believed they had identified the woman through tips.

Martinez said the department would likely attempt the same strategy again.

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