The Straits Times
8 Dec 2010
POLICE have arrested a serial snatch thief with the help of an iPhone application that traces the location of the mobile phone.
A woman was walking along Lim Liak Street near the Tiong Bahru food centre early last Sunday morning when a man approached her from behind and snatched her iPhone. She notified the police.
Police were able to trace the phone with the 'Find My iPhone' application. They then established the identity of the suspect with follow-up investigations.
The application allows users to estimate their handset's current location with the use of Google Maps.
The suspect, a 18-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested on Monday evening near Outram Road.
Preliminary investigations show that he is believed to be responsible for other snatch theft cases in the Tiong Bahru and Kim Tian estates.
He will be charged in the Subordinate Court today for snatch theft which has a maximum punishment of seven years in prison and caning.
A court order will be made to hold him in custody for further investigations.
