iPad App Leads Police to Suspects in 5 Crimes

COLUMBIA, MD – An iPad app helped investigators identify the suspects in a handful of recent burglaries in Howard County, police say.

Once electronics and jewelry were stolen in a burglary in Laurel on Jan. 22, police said the victim used the Find My iPhone app to locate his missing iPad.

The location of the device plus evidence recovered at the scene of the burglary in the 8700 block of Birkenhead Court enabled investigators to identify a suspect, whose home they obtained a warrant to search, police said.

The iPad and other stolen items were found at the 16-year-old's Columbia home, according to police.

Investigators also found evidence leading to a second suspect, in whose home they came upon more allegedly stolen goods including purses, gaming systems, electronics and shoes, police reported.

Officials said the second suspect—also a 16-year-old Columbia boy—was charged in the Jan. 22 burglary in Laurel as well as these four incidents in Columbia:

• The Jan. 18 break-in to a vacant home in the 10300 block of College Square, where nothing was taken. The suspect got in through a window.
• The Jan. 11 theft of electronics, purses and shoes from a home in the 5400 block of Endicott Lane.
• The Dec. 13 theft of electronics from a home in the 10200 block of Hickory Ridge Road.
• The Dec. 12 theft of video games and electronics from the 10300 block of Hickory Ridge Road.

Both teens have been charged and taken to a juvenile detention facility, according to police.

Investigators say they are looking at whether the boys may be connected to other incidents. Anyone with information may contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

Photo Credit: Morguefile.