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.

Source - The Journal News

good for them

May 12, 2008 09:12     

well, you don't know your party guess will be the one that robs you. Any on another topic...how does the "back to my mac" works? would someone hacked it...or apple.. can turn on your web cam anytime? you could be spy on and won't know the gov or apple or hacker is watching you!!!
andy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Camp Agnostic...

May 12, 2008 11:11     

I don't care which camp you come from (Apple, MS, 'Nix), it's awesome the victims got one up on the thieves. Now, with any luck, they'll get ALL their stuff back.
Philstuf report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

a Windows version?

May 13, 2008 07:47     

I wonder if there is a Windows (or other non-Apple software) version of the software? I have heard of a computer version of the cars lojack system. That would be another way to trace ones stolen computer.
TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Bungling burglars

May 13, 2008 11:07     

They probably stole the marijuana, too... Now they can get mailed for that, also. LOL
kjforeman41 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: good for them

May 16, 2008 10:50     

Actually that's an issue with many webcams. People leave them on and occasionally hackers will be able to look right through them. If you aren't using your web cam, turn that thing off. If we aren't careful this could turn into 1984.
Task report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0