Burglary suspect traced by officers thanks to I-Phone app

Police in Swansea arrested a burglar after tracing him by using a tracking app on mobile phone and computer equipment which he had stolen.

Officers were called to the house in Alexander Terrace, Brynmill at around 10pm on Tuesday 22nd July where an I-pad, I-phone and laptop computers were taken.

They worked with the victim using a ‘find-my-I-phone’ app which directed officers to the Eaton Crescent area of Uplands, where they found the suspect in possession of the stolen items.

Within 30 minutes of the burglary being reported, officers had attended the scene, arrested the suspect and located the stolen property.

David James Conibeer (pictured), aged 33 of Eaton Crescent, was taken into custody and subsequently charged with the burglary. He appeared at Swansea Crown Court today where he was sentenced to four years in prison for this and several other burglaries in the Swansea area which he pleaded guilty to.

Detective Inspector Mark Kavanagh of Swansea CID said:

“This really was a dynamic piece of work by the officers who attended the initial call and by those who traced and arrested Conibeer still in possession of the items which he had stolen.

“Throughout the summer we have had a big push on burglary detection and prevention and the arrest and charge of an individual like this is a very positive result for us.

“The way in which this suspect and the stolen property were located is unusual but the tracking software on these devices has proved invaluable.”

Superintendent Andy Kingdom of Swansea Central Police Station added:

“Officers work extremely hard to investigate burglaries and use a wide range of tactics to bring offenders to justice and give the victims the best level of service possible.

“This can often be a long and difficult process, but the way this particular incident unfolded was like an episode of The Bill.”