"I REALLY need your help", wrote Adelaide scientist Brad Page in an internet post, and thousands of crime buffs from around the world have responded.

Mr Page his car broken into by an opportunistic thief outside his West Beach office on June 7 — and a security camera captured the whole thing.

However, a cyclone fence — and the quality of the recording itself — meant police were unable to make out the registration on the thief's Commodore.

So Mr Page put out the call for help on social news site Reddit, where users post up-to-date news and ask other readers for advice.

"My car got broken into and here is the surveillance film of the guy who did it (and his car)!" Mr Page wrote.

"Can anyone do a Jack Bauer and 'enhance this image' so I can read his plate?"

Mr Page's post drew instant interest from the online community, shooting to the most popular page on the site.

"We are our own personal army," one user wrote.

Another said the huge response was incredible.

"We're closing in on this guy — his days of freedom are numbered," they wrote.

Mr Page said it was exciting to hear from experts in video and image enhancement.

"Some people have skills in Photoshop and other image editing programs," he said.

"There is even a forensic software specialist trying to help."

The online sleuths have agreed the plate is most likely Victorian, and several users have spent time trawling through websites to match potential numberplates with similar coloured Commodores.

Mr Page described the thief as a "skinny and ugly white guy", 182cm, with light brown hair, wearing fawn coloured clothing and a dark hat.

Links

"I really need your help Reddit!" on Reddit – http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comme...