Oakland County man and police track down stolen property and a suspect using an app

NOVI, Mich. (WXYZ) - It all started when a Commerce Township man had his wallet and iPhone stolen from the Sports Club of Novi last week. He called police and told them he'd left them in a locker, but admits he didn't lock it up.

He also told police he had an app on his iPhone that may just help in the search.

The victim was with his friend at the time who had an iPhone of his own. The victim had an app on his iPhone called "Find My iPhone". When he logged on using his friend's phone, it showed his phone was in a Brighton hospital parking lot. Within moments the stolen iPhone was on the move again.

"The victim was calling the officer back saying it's coming down Milford Road ... now it's back in the city of Novi," says Deputy Chief of Police in Novi, Thomas Lindberg.

He says the app was so precise that it led police right to a house in Novi. According to investigators, a 22 year-old man admitted to the officer that he'd stolen the phone and wallet.

Deputy Chief of Police Lindberg says the app is "so accurate ... it also showed that the phone was in a certain corner of the house."

Investigators say that suspect also used the victim's credit card. He was arrested, but was released pending formal charges.

Thanks to technology and a joint effort by the victim and police in less than 2 hours the stolen iPhone was found and the suspect was in custody.

"It worked out very nicely," says Lindberg.

He encourages us all to enable apps like the "Find my iPhone" app. In this case, it made for a speedy success story!