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App Helps Police Nab Boys, 10 and 13, in Smartphone Theft

By Natasha Brown

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A tracking app helps a woman reunite with her stolen smartphone.

A jarring morning for a teacher sitting on a SEPTA train Thursday at Broad and Wyoming. Two boys, ages 10 and 13, allegedly snatched her phone then sprinted off the train and onto the platform. One of the children appeared to be skipping away with no regard for the crime that had just been committed.

"I just have advice for everyone. Protect yourself when you have expensive phones, iPads. Make sure they are safe. Just be safe out here," a SEPTA passenger said.

The female teacher got off the train a couple stops away at Broad and Olney and told police what happened. The SEPTA officer used his smartphone to track hers using the "Find my iPhone" app she had installed. They caught up with the two boys near the Broad and Wyoming stop and quickly ecovered her phone. Case closed, but SEPTA passengers say they're reminded just how cautious they need to be when using their devices.

"It's best to keep it in your pocket because a lot of people have it out in their hand and people just snatch it and run, so I just keep in it my pocket," a SEPTA passenger said.

"I don't even want to be in that situation someone taking my phone. I don't even know what I'm going to do, so I just have it in my pocket at all times," another SEPTA passenger said.

Authorities say the two boys are facing theft and related offenses. They were taken to a juvenile detention center and later released into the custody of their parents.

 

 

 

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