On numerous occasions, some more controversial than others, the Find My iPhone app has been responsible for the capture of criminals. So this time the device with the bitten apple logo served as the definitive test to send a home burglar to jail.
A man identified as Graham Smith, 45, has been jailed for more than three years after being tracked through iPad and iPhone tracking apps and using a fraudulent card captured on CCTV.
Smith broke into three properties on Surrey Street, Leyhill Drive and Rutland Crescent, in Luton, England, between January 16 and 19, 2020. In the crimes, he stole various items, including a car, bank cards , electronics and jewelry. And for your bad luck an iPhone.
The Find My iPhone app, on the devices of two of the victims, helped authorities locate Smith, who was with other assets in his possession. The offender was jailed on March 3 at Luton Crown Court for three years and nine months on three counts of robbery and three counts of misrepresentation fraud.
In this regard and according to statements by Police Detective Andy Boston, to local media:
“Smith is a prolific criminal in Bedfordshire and has targeted three properties in just three days and stole several valuables.”
“His actions have caused the misery of his victims and the loss of property for which families have worked so hard. Actions like yours will not be tolerated.
“Theft has a huge impact on the victim, in addition to the financial loss, it also affects the victim’s sense of security in their own home, which Smith had no consideration for.
Since its launch in 2010, the app has been useful for people who leave something behind or lose their devices at home. And it is more and more frequent to guide the authorities in the search for and the capture of the criminals. Although there have been the riskiest cases where victims have undertaken risky operations to get their iPhones back from criminals.