When a vandal smashed the Thai Container in Christchurch, the owner turned not to police, but social media.

Thirty minutes after posting security video on his Facebook page, owner Ren Bell had the alleged offender’s name – and an apology.

The video shows a well-dressed young man walk on to the site about on Saturday. He looks at a security camera then disappears from screen. About 30 seconds later, the camera is destroyed.

The damage tally included two security cameras, gas piping, a flood from towels placed in the sink and the taps turned on, a door and stock, totalling about $2000.

It was the fourth time Thai Container had been targeted by vandals since Bell and his wife set it up in May 2011. They lost their central city restaurant in the quake.

Bell reported the three earlier incidents to police, giving them security footage, but heard nothing.

This time, he decided to do his own sleuth work and says he would do it again in a heartbeat.

Bell offered a $500 reward for whoever “can deliver this guy”, uploading the security video on the restaurant Facebook page.

Within half an hour, the man “handed himself in” by sending Bell a private message.

The young man, alerted to the post by friend, said he was sorry and agreed to meet Bell at a hamburger restaurant to sort out reparation and settle things privately.

Bell said he waited an hour last night, but the young man was a no-show.

So Bell handed the footage, the man’s name and details to police today, telling them, “job is done, see you in court”, he said.

“Now I really truly comprehend the power of social media,” he said. 

Detective Sergeant Darren Folau said social media was a platform that police also embraced.