When Stolen Items Turn Hostile

When is a GPS tracking device worth $14,000? When it plays a key role in the apprehension of thieves and the recovery of stolen merchandise, a phone with GPS tracking can save prevent thousands of dollars from disappearing over the horizon. One such incident occurred in Palo Alto in January. After robbing a local business of phones, laptops, an iPad, and other electronics, two thieves loaded the merchandise in their stolen car and drove off. Unfortunately for them, the iPad in their car was equipped with the “Find my iPhone” app, which uses GPS tracking to help users locate misplaced or stolen mobile devices. An employee at the store activated the app, which led police to a parking lot and a parked car. When the two thieves pulled out of the parking lot, a police officer followed them. After determining that the car was in fact stolen, the officer pulled the car over, recovered the stolen property, and apprehended the thieves. Police credited the tracking app with helping them locate the suspects.

When Stolen Items Turn Hostile

No one plans to get caught when they steal something. Whether a thief meticulously plans the robbery or pulls it off on the spur of the moment, he always does so with the hopes of gaining something. But with GPS tracking, that stolen item can turn against him and testify of his guilt.

Police officers strongly recommend that phone users activate the “Find My Phone” app (or something similar) so that steps can be taken in the event of a theft. Of course, it’s always nice to get your phone back, but a phone that’s inside a purse, backpack, or other larger item can help police recover even more valuable items. They can even save lives. Many parents provide phones for their children for just such a purpose. If a child is kidnapped or picked up by someone who shouldn’t have access to that child, a GPS tracking app could make the difference between safety and injury or worse.

GPS Tracking and Law Enforcement

GPS tracking and law enforcement have been beneficial partners for quite a while. Not only has the technology enabled police to apprehend thieves, but also to accomplish a number of other essential goals. Listed below are some of the most important ways GPS tracking has made a difference to law enforcement departments across the country:

Phone or other small item theft	Like the case in Palo Alto, many theft cases have been solved using a GPS-enabled phone or other device.
Vehicle theft	In addition to apprehending stolen vehicles, the devices have also been used in “bait cars.” Bait cars are vehicles placed intentionally by the police with the hopes of attracting a car thief. The GPS tracking device in the car can lead police directly to the perpetrator, breaking up theft rings and identifying chop shops.
Domestic Violence	In some states, courts have allowed the use of GPS tracking units to track domestic violence offenders. While usually done only in extreme cases, the devices provide an extra measure of safety for victims by sending an alert when the device-wearer crosses a perimeter or comes within a specified distance
Tracking sex offenders	Ankle bracelets for sex offenders have been in use for quite some time. They allow police to monitor the wearer’s location in order to make sure the offender is not entering an off-limits area.

One other way GPS tracking can help law enforcement is that, with a warrant, in can be used to track suspected criminals. In cases of drug trafficking, theft, or other similar crimes, a device placed on a suspect’s car can lead police officers to the scene of the crime and enable them to apprehend the perpetrators. While tracking a suspect with a GPS unit has been questioned by civil rights advocates, the problem is with using the devices without a warrant. With a warrant, it is considered the same as searching a suspect’s house in a criminal investigation (which, of course, also requires a warrant).

Protecting Yourself From Theft With GPS Tracking

What can citizens do to keep themselves from becoming the victims of theft? Take normal precautions—and then, equip valuable items with a GPS tracking device. Whether the device goes on your phone, laptop, bicycle, car, or Grandma’s diamond necklace, it can make sure that even if a theft does occur, that item isn’t lost to you forever. GPS tracking enables police to recover items that might otherwise require weeks, months or years to recover—if they can be recovered at all—and to do it in a short amount of time. Don’t let yourself become a victim. Invest in GPS tracking for the items you value the most, activate that app on your phone, and make sure a thief doesn’t benefit from your stuff.

When Stolen Items Turn Hostile