Mac Notebook Catches Suspects In Laptop Theft

Remote access and a Webcam helped police catch two people suspected of stealing a laptop.

Thieves stole a Westchester, N.Y., woman's laptop and then accessed the Internet with the stolen computer, according to a report in The Journal News. A friend of the victim was online and noticed that it appeared the victim was logged onto the Internet. The friend called the victim to ask if that was the case. The victim, an Apple Store employee, was not online.

She logged on to her computer remotely using the Back to My Mac program. She discovered that someone was shopping online with her computer, police said. She activated the Webcam and waited for the suspects to appear in front of the monitor. The victim snapped photos of the suspects and turned them over to the White Plains Police Department.

Police arrested to two men, Edmon Shahikian of Katonah and Ian Frias of the Bronx. Police said they retrieved about $5,000 worth of electronics, including two laptops, two flat-screen televisions, two iPods, gaming equipment, and DVDs taken from the victim's home.

The suspects face felony charges of second-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, according to The Journal News.

Back to My Mac allows Leopard-based Mac owners to find their computers on the Internet. The application provides access to an owner's entire hard drive. A Screen Sharing feature allows for remote control of the machine and all its applications, documents, and folders.