iPhone vigilantes retrieve stolen handset

 

Gallery

By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 23 Jun 2009 at 08:48

Apple's new iPhone tracking feature has helped three self-described nerds hunt down a thief.

The new feature, which was introduced as part of the iPhone 3.0 software upgrade, allows Apple MobileMe account holders to track lost phones.

Users are presented with a Google Map overlaid with the handset's location, thanks to its built-in GPS chip and 3G internet connection.

"We ate at a pleasantly sketchy dive bar in uptown Chicago, where the food was mediocre and the characters were questionable," explains LiveJournal user, HappyWaffle. "I definitely had my iPhone while at our table, and I definitely did not have it when we were 100 feet down the street."

After sending two messages to the phone offering a reward for its return, the owner and two friends managed to track down the rough location of the handset using the Find my iPhone feature.

The tech-savvy trio drove to the area, and sent another message explaining that they had tracked down the phone, but received no response.

However, the location of the phone then narrowed and moved slightly on the tracking map. Clutching a MacBook, and constantly hitting refresh, the group walked towards the new spot.

"Ryan and Mark raced ahead, literally making a flanking manoeuvre to the left and right, as I approached the intersection. I clicked Refresh. The circle moved again. It was directly over the bus stop on the south side of Milwaukee Avenue," continues HappyWaffle.

Spotting a worried-looking suspect at the bus stop, the group advanced. "'Have you got it?' I asked as I marched up to the guy, acting far more intimidating than I felt," says HappyWaffle. "He pulled my phone out, totally unharmed, and handed it over. I resisted the urge to giggle."

Although the story ended well, HappyWaffle is quick to warn any potential vigilantes.

"In retrospect, chasing after a thief isn't the most prudent thing to do, but in the moment we had our adrenaline going and sure as hell weren't just going to watch the little circle recede into the distance," he explains.