GPS helps locate stolen phone

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: October 10, 2008

Thieves stole a Woodbridge man's cell phone, but he knew how to get it back.

The 35-year-old victim told police Tuesday someone stole two cell phones, a satellite radio receiver and construc-tion equipment, all valued at more than $14,000, from his work truck.

The items were taken around 3 a.m. in the 15300 block of Bronco Way, said Officer Erika Hernandez, Prince Wil-liam police spokeswoman.

Inside one of the phones was a GPS tracking device, which allowed police to trace the phone to another Woodbridge address.Police found the phone and the man they say stole it.

Alavaro Antonio Alavarenga, 21, of 15305 Colorado Ave. in Woodbridge, was charged with grand

larceny and was held on a $5,000 bond.

The cell phone was the only item recovered by police that day, but Hernandez said the tracking technology makes it easier for officers to find stole

property.

"It's installed inside Blackberry phones. But if the service is not turned on, then police wouldn't be able to use it i

recovering the phone," said

Hernandez.

She also recommends residents collect the serial numbers of their electronic equipment in the event it is ever sto-len.

"We recover a lot of stolen property, but if they don't have the serial numbers it is hard for people to get

their things back," said

Hernandez.

This is the first time this year Prince William police have recovered stolen property using GPS technology, said Hernandez.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.