iPhone app leads to arrest of snatch thief

[Kanetsugu Naoe]

iPhone app leads to arrest of snatch thief
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 07 December 2010 1801 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Police have arrested a serial snatch thief following a crucial lead provided by an iPhone application.

The thief had snatched a 36-year-old woman's iPhone in the early hours of Sunday morning along Lim Liak Street, in the Tiong Bahru area.

Police was able to trace the stolen phone via an iPhone application called "Find My iPhone". The application allowed the missing iPhone to be located on a map.

With this important lead, officers were able to establish the identity of the suspect and he was arrested on Monday in Outram Road.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is also believed to be responsible for several other snatch theft cases in the Tiong Bahru and Kim Tian estates.

Police said the suspect, an 18-year-old Malaysian man, will be charged in court on Wednesday.

If convicted he could be jailed for up to 7 years and caned.

Police said a Court Order will be sought to remand him for further investigations.

-CNA/ac