News / National
Laptop thief busted by 'Find My Phone' App
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A would-be clever thief from Thorngrove found out the hard way that in the digital age, stolen gadgets can fight back.
Prince Nyahwa (30) thought he had made a smooth getaway after slipping into a Paddonhurst home and stealing electronic gadgets worth US$660. But his luck ran out when one of the stolen cellphones led its owner - and the police - right to his doorstep.
The incident occurred on February 26 at around 11 AM. The victim, Wisdom Pikirwe, was playing games with friends in his garage when Nyahwa quietly entered the main house through an unlocked door. Inside, he grabbed an HP laptop, a Samsung A32 smartphone, an Itel handset, and a black satchel. He left behind only a charger.
"I thought my friends had moved my phone, but when I checked with them, we realised the laptop and other stuff were gone too," Pikirwe recounted.
Thinking quickly, Pikirwe activated the "Find My Phone" feature. The signal pointed to Unity Village. He and his landlord followed the coordinates and were shocked to find Nyahwa - satchel and all - in possession of every missing item.
Nyahwa initially denied the theft, but when the phone in question started ringing in his hand, the evidence was undeniable.
He was arrested and appeared before the courts, where he admitted to the crime. He told the magistrate he was unemployed and had acted out of desperation.
Taking his plea and circumstances into account, the court sentenced him to 150 hours of community service instead of prison time.
This case stands as a cautionary tale in an era where smartphones can double as digital detectives.
Moral of the story: always lock your doors - and let your gadgets do the talking if someone forgets.
Prince Nyahwa (30) thought he had made a smooth getaway after slipping into a Paddonhurst home and stealing electronic gadgets worth US$660. But his luck ran out when one of the stolen cellphones led its owner - and the police - right to his doorstep.
The incident occurred on February 26 at around 11 AM. The victim, Wisdom Pikirwe, was playing games with friends in his garage when Nyahwa quietly entered the main house through an unlocked door. Inside, he grabbed an HP laptop, a Samsung A32 smartphone, an Itel handset, and a black satchel. He left behind only a charger.
"I thought my friends had moved my phone, but when I checked with them, we realised the laptop and other stuff were gone too," Pikirwe recounted.
Thinking quickly, Pikirwe activated the "Find My Phone" feature. The signal pointed to Unity Village. He and his landlord followed the coordinates and were shocked to find Nyahwa - satchel and all - in possession of every missing item.
He was arrested and appeared before the courts, where he admitted to the crime. He told the magistrate he was unemployed and had acted out of desperation.
Taking his plea and circumstances into account, the court sentenced him to 150 hours of community service instead of prison time.
This case stands as a cautionary tale in an era where smartphones can double as digital detectives.
Moral of the story: always lock your doors - and let your gadgets do the talking if someone forgets.
Source - H-Metro
