Phone finder app helps crack theft string case

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

SPIRIT LAKE — This was a case in which technology caught up to two burglary suspects.

A theft victim used a cellphone finder app that led to two males being charged for their alleged involvement in six auto burglaries in Spirit Lake on the night of May 16.

Steven Borja, 18, Post Falls, and a 15-year-old from the Spirit Lake area were charged with six felony counts of burglary.

"One of the victims was able to use a phone finder app and discovered the location of their phone to be at a residence on West Adams Street near the City Park," said Heather McDaniel, Spirit Lake Police spokeswoman.

"The suspects had stayed the night at this residence, but were no longer there by the time the phone location was tracked."

McDaniel said a resident at the home was contacted, located the phone inside the home and returned it to its owner.

"Additional phone owners were able to retrieve some of their property back in much the same fashion," McDaniel said.

Police contacted the two males who had been staying at the home where the stolen items were located. They were called into the police department to be interviewed.

"Enough information was gathered from the interviews to charge the suspects," McDaniel said.

The suspects allegedly stole cash, cellphones and prescription medication from the unlocked vehicles in the area of Jefferson Street and North Third Avenue.

Police said there has been a sharp increase in property crimes in Spirit Lake since early April. Residents are reminded to lock their vehicles and homes at night, not leave valuable items or medications in plain sight and to report any suspicious activity to police at 208-623-2701.