'Find my phone' app nabs laptop thieves

Two robbery suspects saved by police from an angry mob along the Giakanja-Nyeri road. The two were tracked using a mobile phone app after they stole a laptop and phone. [PHOTOS: LYDIAH NYAWIRA/STANDARD]

Nyeri, Kenya: An application used to track stolen phones yesterday saved a Nyeri businessman agony after he recovered a laptop and phone stolen by dishonest men posing as buyers.

Alain Githinji said he activated the application dubbed 'Find my phone' on hid gadget and was able to track the robbers.

The two suspects were rescued by police officers from an irate mob that threatened to lynch them for stealing the gadgets at Ngangarithi estate in Nyeri County.

The incident, which took place along the Nyeri-Giakanja road, attracted the attention of residents who watched as the two men were attacked by residents.

Githinji, the robbery victim, recalled how he was called by the two men at about 6am who insisted they wanted to buy a laptop from him.

"I sell various electronics via the Internet. I got a phone call asking me for a laptop. I told them we could meet at 8am for them to see the laptop at my store.

"But the suspects insisted they wanted to see the laptop immediately and would not wait for two hours. I told them to come to my house where I had one laptop left," he said.

He said after they saw the laptop, the duo claimed they needed to go to the bank to get money to pay for it.

"I agreed and put my laptop and phone in the car. But as we were leaving my house, they asked me if I had carried my ID. I told them I hadn't. They insisted that I get it. But when I went into my house to get it they sped off," Githinji said.

He said he immediately activated the 'Find my phone' application on his phone and was able to trace them.

"I got on a motorbike and pursued them. We caught up with them at a petrol station, and when they saw me they sped off towards Giakanja. Luckily, the car stalled and we were able to catch up with them," Githinji explained.

Michael Kanyi, a resident of Giakanja town, said the two were speeding towards Giakanja when their vehicle stalled. The suspects were dragged out of the vehicle and bludgeoned by the public.

Nyeri town OCPD Adiel Nyange arrived at the scene moments after the officers had rescued the two men.

"We are going to probe the incident and it is important for the public to assist police with information," he said.