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A GPS system in Indiana helped police track, find, and arrest three robbery suspects. The victim gave police information about a cell phone that the robbers stole to track them.

All of the stolen items were returned to the victim, including the stolen cell phone and a wallet. (Some credit cards and cash, however, were retained for investigative purposes).

Using the signal from the phone, Indiana officers used GPS tracking technology to find the subject nearly 20 blocks away from the scene of the crime. The rapidity with which they were able to catch them could not have occurred without this GPS technology.

All cell phones manufactured within the last decade transmit a GPS signal to wireless providers. This signal allows wireless providers to know where you are located so that they can connect your phone to the proper satellite. However, in the event of a crime, police and other governmental agencies can use this GPS data from cell phones to track criminals.

This is precisely what the Indiana police did. Using this GPS information from the cell phone provider (Verizon), they tracked down the thieves within a single block. However, they need a legal justification in the form of a warrant in order to do so.

Article Written by Greg Minton