Stolen Smartphone Victim Tracks Alleged iPhone Thief and Films Confrontation
An alleged Apple smartphone thief bit off more than he could chew when the owner of the stolen device tracked his whereabouts using the Find My iPhone app. The owner of the iPhone in question, Kenneth Schmidgall, tracked the suspect to a beach where he caught up with the person who was in possession of his smartphone as he rode his bike, blissfully unaware that he had a tail.
"I saw the gentleman on the bike and we followed it and kept tracking it and every time it would stop, the guy on the bike would stop," Schmidgall told ABC News.
Schmidgall brought along his friend, Greg Torkelson, a freelance photographer who captured the ensuing confrontation on camera. When they caught up to the man on the bike, Schmidgall and the alleged thief ended up brawling until Torkelson pepper-sprayed the man and attempted a citizen's arrest. Shortly after, an off-duty police officer restrained the man until police arrived at the scene.
"Hopefully he won't try this again and that anybody else out there that's seen the video or is watching the segment will also think twice before stealing somebody's phone," Smidgall said.
Let this also be a reminder to smartphone owners to be sure and install/enable GPS tracking software. We're not condoning vigilante justice, but apps like Find My iPhone can help authorities track down your stolen device, if it should get swiped.
"I saw the gentleman on the bike and we followed it and kept tracking it and every time it would stop, the guy on the bike would stop," Schmidgall told ABC News.
Schmidgall brought along his friend, Greg Torkelson, a freelance photographer who captured the ensuing confrontation on camera. When they caught up to the man on the bike, Schmidgall and the alleged thief ended up brawling until Torkelson pepper-sprayed the man and attempted a citizen's arrest. Shortly after, an off-duty police officer restrained the man until police arrived at the scene.
"Hopefully he won't try this again and that anybody else out there that's seen the video or is watching the segment will also think twice before stealing somebody's phone," Smidgall said.
Let this also be a reminder to smartphone owners to be sure and install/enable GPS tracking software. We're not condoning vigilante justice, but apps like Find My iPhone can help authorities track down your stolen device, if it should get swiped.
