There is no doubt that technology has helped in the fight to stop theft and shoplifting. From surveillance videos to coded magnetic tags on goods, it is getting easier to catch shoplifters. But a recent story out of Oakland, California has taken it to a new level.
There Truly is an “App” for Everything
In late march of this year a thief stole a MacBook from an Oakland residence. Little did he know that this MacBook was equipped with an application called “hidden”. This magic little $15 app enables the owner of a MacBook to show you where your MacBook is and who stole it. It does this by tracking the location of the MacBook anywhere on the planet. It also enables the original owner to snap pictures of the screens the thief is using as well as photos of the thief himself.
Surprise!
Here’s how it all went down. On March 21st the MacBook was stolen. Due to staffing issues the Oakland Police Department was unable to send an officer to investigate. The owner of the MacBook immediately starts gathering photos, network information and location info.
With the police unwilling or unable to help, the MacBook owner continues to pursue the thief on his own setting up a Tumblelog with photos and information on the current owner.
Once the original owner starting Tweeting about it on May 31st, Good Morning America became involved, kick-starting the Oakland PD to get on the ball. In the first few hours thousands of people saw it and liked it. That very evening the police arrested the thief! The next day the owner got his MacBook back.
Technology can be such a wonderful thing!