iPhone App Helps Catch Serial Robbery Suspects

A GPS monitoring app on a victim's phone was used to track down the suspects

Chicago Police arrested and charged two men in connection with three weekend home invasions. Officers found the suspects with the help of an iPhone app.

Aaron Smith, 22, of South Bend, Ind., was charged with six counts of home invasion and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to Police News Affairs. Joe Parker, 20, of the 5500 block of South Aberdeen, was charged with three counts of home invasion.

Parker and Smith are accused of entering a home on Dec. 10 in the 1100 block of West 13th Street after they told the residents they had car trouble, police said. Once inside they struck both victims in the head with a gun and took cash, electronics and telephones.

A UIC police officer assisting Chicago police used a GPS monitoring app on one of the victim's phones to track down one of the suspects, according to the Chicago Tribune. The other was arrested soon after.
 
After their arrests, police linked both suspects to two other home invasions that happened that same day in the 1800 block of West Cuyler and the 900 block of West Sheridan.

Police said in both invasions, Parker and Smith kicked in the doors of residences, struck the victims in the head with a gun and robbed them.

Parker and Smith are scheduled to appear in bond court Wednesday.
 

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