Mobile app leads to arrest
Robbery suspect tracked with iPhone app that leads to arrest and recovery of stolen items.
A 19-year-old male was arrested by the Durban North SAPS and Marshall Security last week after an iPhone App helped police track stolen goods to the suspect near KwaMakutha.
Architects Michelle Quarmby and Tracy Barnes and a client were in a meeting at a business premises in uMhlanga. “We had left our bags and cellphones down on one of the tables while we walked around the building. We just walked into another room and just three minutes later, when we returned, Michelle’s iPhone and the client’s Blackberry were stolen.
“We contacted Marshall Security who responded first and asked if we had the ‘Find my iPhone’ App. They also checked the CCTV footage to positively identify the thief. The footage shows him nonchalantly tuck the phones into his sleeve and then calmly take the lift down from the second floor. We are so grateful to Marshall and the police for their quick reactions, they were awesome,” she said.
According to Tyron Powell, from Marshall Security, they began tracking the suspect on North Coast Road. “Our vehicle took over tracking the suspect and tracked the phone to a taxi rank in Smith Street. While looking for the suspect at the rank the signal started to move showing he had boarded a taxi and was now travelling south.
“The Durban North SAPS Field Unit had also been called and were assisting in the search. The signal was then tracked onto the M4 south bound and eventually onto the N2 south bond until it took the KwaMakhuta off ramp and began heading inland. The taxi the suspect was in was easily identified after turning inland as it was as the only other vehicle in the area,”.
The taxi was stopped and the suspect was identified from the pictures and was found to be in possession of both cellphones.
Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North station commended everyone for their quick reaction. “I urge anyone with a smart phone to download apps which allow victims and law enforcement to track the movement of stolen items in the event of a hijacking or theft,” he said.
