Campus News

UK Police Use Cell Phone Technology to Make Quick Arrest

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 1, 2011)University of Kentucky Police were able to use cell phone technology to help arrest two theft suspects Wednesday night.  The suspects, who are not students, are 50-year-old Robert Dobson of Louisville and 51-year-old John Lewis of Lexington, both charged with theft by unlawful transaction, fraudulent use of a credit card and tampering with physical evidence. Lewis was also charged with operating a vehicle on a suspended operator's license.

UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said seven students put their belongings in two book bags while they played soccer on Haggin field Wednesday night.  When they were ready to leave, they realized the book bags were gone and contacted UK Police.  One of the students had the "Find My iPhone" app on his phone, which allowed UK Police to track the phone and identify its location.  Officers then made a traffic stop of the car where the app indicated the phone was located.  The officers were also able to send an alert to the phone to make it ring in order to verify it was the correct phone.

"Within less than an hour of the reported crime, our officers were able to make an arrest and recover nearly $2,000 worth of stolen items thanks to this technology," Monroe said.

Police recovered five cell phones, three wallets, books and credit and debit cards.  The suspects had already used the cards to make purchases at various businesses on North Broadway and New Circle Road.

The suspects were also charged in a similar theft that occurred last week during a band practice at Stoll field, and police recovered the stolen items from that incident as well.

"Students or anyone owning an iPhone or an Android phone may want to consider the 'Find My iPhone' or 'locatemydroid' apps," Monroe said.  "It is one more protection against loss or theft and was certainly important to the successful outcome of this case."

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kathy Johnson, (859) 257-3155 or kathy.johnson@uky.edu