Unsuspecting crims tracked by phone app

UNSUSPECTING crims are being tracked by police through an app designed to help find lost mobile phones.

Territory police used the “Find my iPhone” app to pinpoint the locations of wanted crooks on the run.

Strike Force detective Senior Sergeant Michael Budge said the app was often the first tool turned to by officers who checked if the stolen phones had its GPS signal switched on.

He said the technology netted Territory police four arrests last week and its use was becoming increasingly more common.

The technology was used to find two men wanted for the theft of $30,000 worth of electrical and surveying equipment from contractors at a Palmerston worksite.

The two men were tracked through the app to addresses in Palmerston.

Police arrested one of the alleged culprits at a Driver address on April 30 and a second in Moulden on May 7.

A third man, aged 22, was arrested for the theft on Sunday night.

Snr-Sgt Budge said police were able to track any smart technology which had a geographical locator and internet access.


“It’s a part of our initial response to find out if they have the location. It makes it a lot easier for us,” he said.

An extensive CCTV network and body-worn cameras are other technologies used to help police in the fight against crime.

Acting Officer-in-Charge of Palmerston Station Acting Senior Sergeant Ben Williams said the trio were accused of stealing the equipment from the vehicle parked at the rear of the Palmerston BMX track on April 29.

The NT News understands the Queensland-based contractors were working on a gas pipeline behind the Satellite City BMX Club at Marlow Lagoon. “The victims were away from their vehicle for about 30 minutes and upon returning discovered the window of the vehicle had been smashed and the equipment stolen,” he said.

“The majority of the stolen property has now been recovered.”

The 22-year-old man has been charged with trespassing, criminal damage and stealing.

He is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on June 6