MIDDLETOWN A trio of would-be auto-strippers inadvertently demonstrated the effectiveness of the system Orange County 911 uses to find cell-phone callers, police say.
Middletown police say that about 3 a.m. Monday, an 18-year-old and two 16-year-olds from Middletown were breaking into cars at an auto repair business on Midland Avenue Extension. Police say the 18-year-old apparently hit the emergency button on his cell phone, and it dialed 911.
Orange County public safety dispatcher Milo Moore picked up the call and listened as the teenagers talked. "Get the tires," one of the teens says early in the tape.
Within 30 seconds, the dispatcher had a location, courtesy of the cell phone's GPS signal, and called it in to city police. "It sounds like they're ripping a car off," he told them, adding, "It dialed in his pocket by accident."
As officers arrived at the repair yard, two teenagers fled from a Lexus there. After a short search by officers and the city's police dog, Kilo, the two suspects were caught.
Police said they found the third teen nearby in his own car, with a set of stereo speakers stolen from the Lexus.
Accidental call to 911 gives cops ripoff's location - RecordOnline.com - The Times Herald Record
Middletown police say that about 3 a.m. Monday, an 18-year-old and two 16-year-olds from Middletown were breaking into cars at an auto repair business on Midland Avenue Extension. Police say the 18-year-old apparently hit the emergency button on his cell phone, and it dialed 911.
Orange County public safety dispatcher Milo Moore picked up the call and listened as the teenagers talked. "Get the tires," one of the teens says early in the tape.
Within 30 seconds, the dispatcher had a location, courtesy of the cell phone's GPS signal, and called it in to city police. "It sounds like they're ripping a car off," he told them, adding, "It dialed in his pocket by accident."
As officers arrived at the repair yard, two teenagers fled from a Lexus there. After a short search by officers and the city's police dog, Kilo, the two suspects were caught.
Police said they found the third teen nearby in his own car, with a set of stereo speakers stolen from the Lexus.
Accidental call to 911 gives cops ripoff's location - RecordOnline.com - The Times Herald Record
