Investigators use a tracking program on a stolen laptop to locate a stolen vehicle; 3 teenagers were arrested

LINCOLN, Neb. (COLON) – Detectives with the Lincoln Police Department say they used a tracking program on a stolen laptop to recover a stolen vehicle.

At approximately 9:44 a.m. Monday, LPD officers were dispatched to an apartment complex near 48th and R streets on a report of a stolen vehicle.

According to police, the victim reported that an unknown person had stolen a 2017 KIA Forte sedan from the parking lot of the apartment complex.

The victim told officers the car was locked, the keys were in the center console and a Mac Book laptop was also in the car, LPD said.

Police said the man used the “find my device” feature to track the computer’s movements across the city, but no specific identity has been identified.

Around midnight Tuesday, LPD said the laptop was located near N 51st Street and Aylesworth Avenue.

Officers said they found the stolen KIA and saw a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl leave a neighboring house and get into the car.

LPD said the juveniles were taken into custody, but a search of the KIA did not turn up the stolen computer.

Police say the computer indicated it was nearby, so officers continued to check the area and another stolen 2008 Buick Enclave was located on N 50th Street near Aylesworth and Holdrege Aves.

According to police, a 15-year-old juvenile occupied the Buick and was taken into custody.

A search of the Buick turned up the stolen computer, LPD said.

The Buick was confirmed stolen from Omaha on Monday, according to investigators.

These three teenagers were referred for theft by reception and placed in the Youth Assessment Center.

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