SAN DIEGO -- San Diego police have a new tool in their crime-fighting arsenal -- it's called the video investigator.

Police told NBC 7/39 some high-profile suspects have been nabbed thanks to the eye in the sky. Those suspects include the so-called floppy-hat bandit, the rotten-tooth bandit and the Reagan-mask bandit.

Detectives said they are now able to enhance surveillance video and change the way they solve crimes.

They are using the same technology first used by NASA for space technology.

Jim Young of TJ Consulting has seven years of forensic video experience, and he has just finished training several San Diego detectives in what's called "video investigator."

The program received attention after helping police in Los Angeles to identify a suspect from helicopter video of the Reginald Denny beating during the L.A. riots.

The technology can turn dark images from a surveillance camera into video that is so clear, police can read the license plates in detail.

The technology acts as a witness for investigators.

Currently, San Diego police said they are in the process of installing the new video investigator at every substation across the department.