Find Apple iPhone App Helps Oakland Police Catch Robbers

You read that correctly: “Find Apple iPhone App Helps Oakland Police Catch Robbers”

I recently purchased an Apple iPad for my Mom, with an eye toward buying her an Apple iPhone and a Mac Mini so she can sync her information, and find her devices. But the other reason is so if someone steals either the iPad or the iPhone, the robbers can be tracked down.

Now comes this press release from the Oakland Police Department:

News from: Oakland Police Department

February 17, 2012

User Installed Software Helps Catch Robbery Suspects

Oakland, CA — On February 16, 2012, at approximately 10:45 p.m., two victims were approached by two suspects in the 3300 block of Grand avenue and robbed at gunpoint. When officers responded, a victim told officers that tracking software was installed on his iPad. Officers used the technology to locate the stolen cell phone, and arrested suspects who were found in possession of the cell phone. As a result, both suspects were positively identified by both victims and arrested.

Investigators discovered that an arrestee’s vehicle matched the description of one used in several robberies earlier that evening. Officers recovered loss from these robberies from inside the vehicle.

It was later determined that the firearm used in the Grand Avenue robbery, and recovered by investigators, was a firearm replica .

Investigators believe these suspects are responsible for additional robberies throughout the City and are currently conducting additional investigations.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Section at 510-238-3475.

It’s important to remember that Apple iPads and iPhones come with the app (application) that allows you to find either one, and that you don’t have to have one device to find the other, you can use the web itself.

For example, here’s Apple’s instructions for setting your iPad to be found:

Go to Settings on your iPad, tap iCloud, and enable Find My iPad.1 Then if you misplace it, sign in to icloud.com from any web browser on a Mac or PC. Or borrow your friend’s iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch and use the Find My iPhone app. Find My iPad shows you the approximate location of your iPad on a map.

And Apple offers these tips:

If someone finds your iPad, let them know how to find you. Write a message and display it on your iPad screen. Something like, “Oops, left my iPad behind. Please call me at 408-555-0198.” Your message appears, even if the screen is locked. And if the map shows that your iPad is nearby — perhaps in your office under a pile of papers — yet you still can’t find it, you can tell Find My iPad to play a sound that overrides the volume or silent setting.

If you realize that you left your iPad in a public place, you may want to protect its contents until it’s safely back in your hands. Remotely set a four-digit passcode lock to prevent people from using your iPad, accessing your personal information, or tampering with your settings.

Stay tuned.