Local

Woman uses iPad app to find stolen device, dozens of others

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — A common cellphone application led Brookhaven police to a stockpile of stolen electronics in a marijuana grow house.

Channel 2's Carl Willis tracked down a burglary victim who said her "Find My iPhone" app left a digital trail for detectives.

The victim did not want to be identified out of concern for her safety, but told Willis she was tracking her iPad from the moment she realized it and two of her laptops were stolen.

"We were watching it and it pinged," she said. "We were watching it for two days before it finally settled on a house."

That house was on Warwick Lane in Powder Springs.

It's the home of 32-year-old Jamar White, who was arrested for theft by receiving stolen property.

The victim said Brookhaven police arrived there, spoke with White, and used a feature that made her iPad sound an alert.

That not only led investigators to her stolen electronics, but more than 100 others.

"From the residence we took well over 100 laptops, cameras and tablets and we're working with nine different police jurisdictions throughout surrounding counties trying to determine who this property belongs to," said Maj. Matt Boyd with the Powder Springs Police Department.

Evidence photos show laptops and hard drives stacked up throughout the house.

"I just kind of felt that people don't get caught for stealing stuff," said the victim. "You don't get caught for stealing computers. It just feels that karma was good."

Police said they also found 14 marijuana plants growing in the home.

In addition to theft, White has been charged with manufacturing marijuana and intent to distribute marijuana.