BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A viral video of a suspect yelling at a woman and threatening to beat her, has led to an arrest for assault.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said video evidence like this is a trend they are seeing more and more everyday.
Gonzales said before you start rolling, you need to be cautious.
"The only time that a citizen or bystander should get involved in doing that, is when it is safe to do that," said Gonzales.
Gonzales said a recent viral video of a man upset at a woman for recording him at a San Antonio Park after she confronted him for hitting his dog, was instrumental in bringing the suspect to justice.
In November, a social media influencer by the name of TizzyEnt posted the video online to identify the man. It racked up more than 700,000 views. Another video posted asked why SAPD had not made any arrest, that video racked up more than 5 million views.
"That's something that certainly will help law enforcement in their investigation and ultimately us with the prosecution of a potential case," said Gonzales.
In the video recorded in May, Noah Ochoa can be heard threatening the victim. Police said Ochoa punched her multiple times in the head and back. Authorities said she was able to pick Ochoa out of a photo lineup, and witnesses at the park saw him attacking her.
Ochoa was charge with assault-bodily injury.
Gonzales said he is seeing more video evidence like this come into his office. He said while it's helpful, if you going to record someone committing a crime, you don't want to put yourself in a situation where you can be assaulted or injured.
"We certainly have heard instances where citizens have stepped up and have gotten involved and it's been met with negative consequences," said Gonzales.
Gonzales said it's best to not take the law into your own hands, and call 9-1-1 if you can.
"I would also remind everybody, we're in a state of open carry. So, whenever you may decide to confront someone, there's always a potential that person is carrying a weapon, carrying a firearm and they may pull it on you," said Gonzales.