Crime

Teenager With iPhone App Knowledge Helps Catch Suspected Burglar

14 Year Old Seattle Boy and iPhone App Help Catch Suspected Burglar and Recover Stolen ElectronicsA team composed of Seattle police, a 14-year-old boy and an iPhone app have helped catch a suspected burglar and recover thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise.

The Seattle Times reports that 14-year-old Max Malkin was able to help police track down a man who is suspected of stealing from his family’s home more than $4,000 worth of electronics, among other items. Here was the burglar’s mistake: he took Max‘s mother’s iPhone. Max was able to help police using the Find My iPhone app.

Here’s how it went down according to the Times:

An officer “quarterbacked” the search from Malkin’s kitchen, communicating with officers on the street until a suspect was detained — and a well-timed phone call to the iPhone enabled police to recover the stolen loot, said Max’s father, Harold Malkin.

“When the phone rang,” Malkin said Tuesday, “the guy kind of knew the jig was up.”

The Times reports that the burglary took place on Saturday evening. Harold reportedly heard noises in the early morning hours but assumed it was the family cat. When he went downstairs the next morning he found many items missing and phoned the police. But it was Max who came to the rescue, knowing how to work the Find My iPhone app.

The Times reports Harold as saying that from the time officer Kurt Knox and Max opened a laptop to use the app, which the iPhone App Store states will help locate your missing phone on a map and protect your data, the suspect was caught within 15 minutes.

The Times notes that this was the suspect’s third arrest this year and that he has been convicted in the past for second-degree burglary and second-degree possession of stolen property, among other convictions. The Times reports that if the suspect’s fingerprints match those found inside the Malkin home, he could be charged with residential burglary.

This isn’t the first time the app has come in handy for police departments. The LA Times reported in November 2011 that Find My iPhone helped lead the LAPD to the suspect of an armed robbery.

[H/T USA Today]

Comments (17)

  • CNCFan
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:19am

    Dated Jan 18 and this is he third arrest this year. Going at this rate he will set a record in the next 11 months.

    Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:57pm

      I wondered about that, too.

      I’m betting they meant the third in the past 12 months.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
  • Divothead
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:12am

    He‘ll be out of jail and back to ’work’ in no time. That’s why he located in Seattle.

    Report Post »  
  • willbedone
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:05am

    Sounds like Seattle needs to fire some judges.

    Report Post » willbedone  
  • George Patton
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:58am

    He was already convicted of burglary and receiving stolen property within the year….but of course he isn’t in jail.

    Report Post »  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:26am

    Two convictions in a year? Bet the Judge gets rough this time and tells him if he doesn’t play nice he will take away his playground privilages. After all this is Seattle and this guy is obviously misunderstood and just needs some harsh woeds from the judge to straighten him out.

    OMG

    Report Post »  
  • grannyrecipe
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:51am

    Gee wiz, that guy is really committed to the occupation of thievery.

    Report Post » grannyrecipe  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:01am

    Two burglaries already in one year and the guy is not on jail. That seems odd.

    Report Post »  
  • unpata
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:04am

    Does this app work with android? Any one know?

    Report Post » unpata  
    • Electacon
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:16am

      avg mobilation anti virus has the app included with the software.

      Report Post » Electacon  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:44am

      See electacon for android advice.
      “Find my iPhone” only works on iPhones.
      There should be some for android. It is no James Bond homing device, but, if it can get the police within a one block radius, they can easily find it from there.

      Way to go, kid!
      Though I am a bit dubious the police required his assistance, as the app is well known, and VERY simple to use. It shows your phone’s location on a map. I’m pretty sure they can read maps.
      Still a nice warm fuzzy to wake to this morning.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Harvey1
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:15am

      Yes there is an app for android phones. Try Cydia

      Report Post » Harvey1  
    • pjfrench
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:54pm

      There is an app called Lookout that has that feature and also checks for viruses and such.

      Report Post »  
    • jacques.daspy
      Posted on January 24, 2012 at 3:15pm

      The “inconvenience” occurred in Seattle, Bill Gates hometown. It might not be illegal to own and operate an iPhone and a Mac Book but it would be unethical. No surprise that the cops can’t do Mac.

      Report Post »  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:04am

    This is exactly why a big dog is better than a stupid cat.

    Report Post »  
    • Kaoscontrol
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:02am

      Cats are useful…you need to feed the big dog something!

      Report Post » Kaoscontrol  

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