A tracking app on a computer left inside a stolen vehicle helped lead Lincoln Police to three teenagers and the recovery of two stolen vehicles. Sergeant Chris Vollmer says it began around 9:45 Monday morning when a 2017 KIA Forte was stolen from an apartment complex parking lot near 50th and R Street.
“The victim advised the vehicle was unlocked and the keys were in the center console,” Vollmer says. The victim’s Mac Book laptop was also in the vehicle and he began utilizing the find my device feature to track its movements.
Vollmer says the locations being provided were all over town, but no specific address was identified. Around midnight the laptop appeared to settle in the 5100 block of Aylesworth Ave., which is just north of Holdrege. “Officers located the KIA and observed a 16 year old male and a 14 year old female exit a nearby residence and enter the car,” Vollmer says.
The teens were taken into custody, but a search of the vehicle did not locate the stolen computer. The computer continued to indicate it was nearby and officers continued checking the area.
An additional stolen vehicle, a 2008 Buick Enclave, was found parked on N 50th between Aylesworth and Holdrege. The Buick was occupied by a 15 year old boy and he was taken into custody.
A search of the Buick located the stolen computer. The Buick was stolen in Omaha on Monday. The three juveniles were referred for theft by receiving and were lodged at the youth assessment center.