MacBook Calls Home, Helps Arrest Two Buglars

By Humphrey Cheung, published on May 12, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: , , | Themes: Laptops and Notebooks, Networking
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White Plains (NY) - Two bumbling burglars have been arrested after one of the laptops they stole ’phoned home’ and transmitted webcam pictures to the victims. Edmon Shahikian, 23, and Ian Frias, 20, broke into a White Plains NY apartment and took several thousand dollars worth of electronics which included an Apple MacBook. One of the victims activated the MacBook’s ’Back to My Mac’ security software and took several pictures of the burglars.

Lieutenant Eric Fischer told The Journal News that the victims did a "phenomenal job" in helping catch the thieves. Back on April 27th, the burglars took approximately $5000 in electronics from the apartment which included two laptop computers, flat-screen televisions, two iPods and several game consoles.

Fortunately, one of the victims works at a nearby Apple store and was clever enough to activate the ’Back to My Mac’ software and the built-in webcam. At first, she saw just an empty chair, but was eventually able to remotely photograph both Shahikian and Frias as they used the MacBook to do some online shopping. One of the roommates recognized the pair from a recent party held at the apartment and notified police who then arrested Shahikian and Frias at their home.

Shahikian and Frias are now out on bail and will return to court on May 15th to face second-degree burglary and possession of stolen property charges. In a separate incident, the pair is also charged with possession and transportation of three pounds of marijuana.

Looks like a slam dunk for the good guys, you don’t see that too often.

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    Comments

    Anonymous 05/12/2008 7:09 AM
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    OWNED
    Anonymous 05/12/2008 7:26 AM
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    ...but that is cool
    Virtualban 05/13/2008 8:39 AM
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    Virtualban
    Just an idea: why should user(victim) interaction be necessary... a hidden silent alarm should be always active, unless you especially disable it, or temporarily put a password for let's say 24 hours, and no sign of the software running in background, and a photo taken let's say each minute, maybe even a screenshot. Sounds like spying? Maybe yes, but it's your own computer, and the photos would be sent to your own e-mail or similar, so if you don't want to watch them you just delete them. And, if your kid or spouse use your computer instad of theirs, better have your permission/password :) - anyway, that's just an idea. And it can be done with current software too, allowing them special permissions through firewall and antivirus tools.

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