Stolen Phone! HELP!

[Deleted User]

Hey all- Im not sure if there is another area to post this or not- but i need help!

My good buddy got his phone (EVO) stolen this weekend in/near his city where he's living.

He called it the next morning after a party, and it was dead. he was searching the house for a while, but nothing--NOW, the phone is ON and charged (someones charging it). This is very irritating to him to say the least.

Here's my question-- is there any app he could install thru market.android.com and setup, to track his phone now?

i suggested this to him-- do you guys know any apps/anything will allow him to set it up via PC instead of the phone? (since he doesnt have his phone)

lookout mobile security, Wave Secure?

I have no idea, never used any of these before.

any response saying this can/cant be done would be very helpful and Id be grateful (and so would my friend!)

thanks again---

Chriz

 

[landovr]

Theres an app called plan b that will let you do this.

 

[Deleted User]

Theres an app called plan b that will let you do this.

Thank you for the prompt response--

do you have any other information? have you tried it?

thx again--chris

has anyone else tried this app?! thx in advance

 

[Deleted User]

i just did a test on my phone, it worked flawlessly. i really hope this works for my friend. thank you. anyone else feel free to chime in with any other info---!

--chriz

 

[jerofld]

File a police report and notify the carrier. They can track the phone through it's ESN and locate it through the cell towers.

 

[Deleted User]

File a police report and notify the carrier. They can track the phone through it's ESN and locate it through the cell towers.

i want to say my buddy called sprint and they couldnt track it, but it worth a shot im sure. ill let him know---

thanks for the info. terrible what some ppl will do to get their hands on a phone!

 

[Sak01]

Can you let us know how you get on with Plan B? I'd like to see if it really works.

 

[A.Nonymous]

How does he know it is on and charging now?

 

[Deleted User]

Can you let us know how you get on with Plan B? I'd like to see if it really works.

it works man--- i tried it on my own phone (thunderbolt) it gave me a google maps with a pic of my apt building.... pretty slick--- "we've found you within 40 meters" with an arrow pointing exactly where it was.

the app even managed to remotely turn on my GPS which is nice--

 

[Deleted User]

How does he know it is on and charging now?

b/c this wknd he called it sat/sun morning, and it was dead all day. he called it a thousand times. now its on, and continues to be on. also, "plan B" application found his phone to within 6meters (mustve remotely turned GPS on also as it did with mine). at a location he says is a house, just off his campus. he is about to go confront the house right now-- (no phone to call cops for assistance--)

i hope it works for him and the guys just give it back, thats all he wants anyway.

MAN this would be slick if it worked--_!

hoping for the best--- chris

 

[A.Nonymous]

Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible idea to go over there and confront the people. I've personally seen people shot and killed doing such things. I would highly recommend that he not do that.

 

[Deleted User]

Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible idea to go over there and confront the people. I've personally seen people shot and killed doing such things. I would highly recommend that he not do that.

when i say "confront" i dont mean physically/violently, just going over there to talk to them.

its in a small college town, not like its DC or mpls or something, but i see what you're saying.

i think he's hoping that they are paranoid, and just give it back. plus, the longer he waits, the more chance the guy can tinker w the phone and keep it out of reach.

you saw someone get shot over something like this? can i ask what the situation was?

this situation was a college party, my buddy probably fell asleep and woke up w no phone, another drunk college kid prob snagged it thinking he could make it his own-- not realizing theres not a sim card switch or whatever--

gotta realize college kids like is have no money to just repalce is.... very limited options... and if we think we know where it is, it might be worth a shot.

granted: NOTHING is worth your life, so i appreciate your concerm. he is a smart guy, if he feels like it is a dangerous situation then i think he will back off-

 

[A.Nonymous]

when i say "confront" i dont mean physically/violently, just going over there to talk to them.

its in a small college town, not like its DC or mpls or something, but i see what you're saying.

i think he's hoping that they are paranoid, and just give it back. plus, the longer he waits, the more chance the guy can tinker w the phone and keep it out of reach.

you saw someone get shot over something like this? can i ask what the situation was?

this situation was a college party, my buddy probably fell asleep and woke up w no phone, another drunk college kid prob snagged it thinking he could make it his own-- not realizing theres not a sim card switch or whatever--

gotta realize college kids like is have no money to just repalce is.... very limited options... and if we think we know where it is, it might be worth a shot.

granted: NOTHING is worth your life, so i appreciate your concerm. he is a smart guy, if he feels like it is a dangerous situation then i think he will back off-

*Knock knock*

Yes, can I help you?

Um, I had my phone stolen and the GPS on it shows that it's in your house. I'd like it back.

I don't have your phone and how dare you accuse me of stealing something!

Dude, I GPSed it. It's in your house. Give.

You want it? Take this! **Bang**


I saw a guy get shot one time because he found the people who stole the license plate off his car. Rather than give it back, they shot him in the head. Fortunately for him, he survived the ordeal though I'm sure he'll think twice before trying to get his property back from strangers on his own.

 

[Xyro]

I would have to agree. I'm sure you're right when you say he's a smart guy, but confronting a thief is not a smart idea.

IMO, he should get the ESN blacklisted by his network and forward all the data he has to the police. The ESN can be cleared later if it's recovered, as far as I'm aware.

 

[Deleted User]

*Knock knock*

Yes, can I help you?

Um, I had my phone stolen and the GPS on it shows that it's in your house. I'd like it back.

I don't have your phone and how dare you accuse me of stealing something!

Dude, I GPSed it. It's in your house. Give.

You want it? Take this! **Bang**


I saw a guy get shot one time because he found the people who stole the license plate off his car. Rather than give it back, they shot him in the head. Fortunately for him, he survived the ordeal though I'm sure he'll think twice before trying to get his property back from strangers on his own.

I would have to agree. I'm sure you're right when you say he's a smart guy, but confronting a thief is not a smart idea.

IMO, he should get the ESN blacklisted by his network and forward all the data he has to the police. The ESN can be cleared later if it's recovered, as far as I'm aware.

Again, I appreciate you guys' help and concern.

What does clearing the ESN do? how do u forward the info (or do u mean just call the police and tell them everything)?

I have since talked to my friend.

he stopped at the house and talked to 2 of the guys who live there. they said they didnt have it (my buddy said they did not seem shady, and were "pretty convincing"). They did however, admit that a "friend who doesnt live here stole a phone this weekend....."but it was a samsung.."

either these guys know nothing about phones, or are covering for their buddy.

unfortunately he wasnt able to call the phone while he was inside-- i think he is going to go back there later and talk to them again-- or possibly call the cops for an escourt--

he said the 2 guys in the house seemed "reasonable", but the other 2 roommates seem suspect....

IMO, the phone is sitting upstairs in a charger--

 

[OfTheDamned]

I would suggest printing out everything that has. Emails, location information, ESN, ect. and taking it to the police. All the other options can lead to serious injury, death or being arrested.


On a side note, I was just playing with Plan B as a test and it worked amazingly well. It located my phone within 4m. The emailed images gave me perfect directions and everything. Really nice little app.

 

[Deleted User]

I would suggest printing out everything that has. Emails, location information, ESN, ect. and taking it to the police. All the other options can lead to serious injury, death or being arrested.


On a side note, I was just playing with Plan B as a test and it worked amazingly well. It located my phone within 4m. The emailed images gave me perfect directions and everything. Really nice little app.

i know man, i tested the app too, it had a pic of my apartment! (note, i think they will KEEP sending u emails if u dont uninstall)

question--- how can he print everything out if it doesnt have his phone or anything? go to sprint? will they do it?

UPDATE-- i sent another text to my friends phone saying "locate", which sends him updated emails w locations. He is on his way to the police station to fill them in---

is there anything they can do to help? or does he have to have a ton of info-- can the police "take his word for it"? (or take the apps word i guess u could say) or is he gonna need a lot more info from sprint?

thx again guys for the interest and help- my buddy seems to have a little more hope now (and so do I) considering he lost it Sat night--

 

[OfTheDamned]

i know man, i tested the app too, it had a pic of my apartment! (note, i think they will KEEP sending u emails if u dont uninstall)

question--- how can he print everything out if it doesnt have his phone or anything? go to sprint? will they do it?

UPDATE-- i sent another text to my friends phone saying "locate", which sends him updated emails w locations. He is on his way to the police station to fill them in---

is there anything they can do to help? or does he have to have a ton of info-- can the police "take his word for it"? (or take the apps word i guess u could say) or is he gonna need a lot more info from sprint?

thx again guys for the interest and help- my buddy seems to have a little more hope now (and so do I) considering he lost it Sat night--

Since Plan B will be using his gmail account he can go to any computer and print out copies of the emails. Once printed, take them to the police and report the phone stolen. Provide the police with all the information and basically tell them that this program shows that the phone is in that house using GPS. See if they will let him use a computer and try to send another "locate" sms to the phone to see if there is any movement. While on the computer you could also look up Plan B's website and show them how it works so they will understand it more. Also, inform them that one of the guys that lives there stated that someone in the house stole another phone, a Samsung. While the guy may be confused neither you or your friend know if he is really and this points to the idea that they may have multiple stolen phones in the house along with possible other stolen property. This may push the police into being more interested in doing something right away.

 

[Deleted User]

Since Plan B will be using his gmail account he can go to any computer and print out copies of the emails. Once printed, take them to the police and report the phone stolen. Provide the police with all the information and basically tell them that this program shows that the phone is in that house using GPS. See if they will let him use a computer and try to send another "locate" sms to the phone to see if there is any movement. While on the computer you could also look up Plan B's website and show them how it works so they will understand it more. Also, inform them that one of the guys that lives there stated that someone in the house stole another phone, a Samsung. While the guy may be confused neither you or your friend know if he is really and this points to the idea that they may have multiple stolen phones in the house along with possible other stolen property. This may push the police into being more interested in doing something right away.

Okay-- i see what you're saying. Unfortunately, my friend and I are in different cities so i cant physically help him . i did link him w/ this thread tho--

Im not sure if he is going to print off the email, or show it manually on his PC, but i hope they trust him and the program. I think he'll do exactly what you said- referring to telling the police about the 2 guys' statements and what has happened this far. im just not sure how much info they need to walk into someones house, if the APP and my friends words are enough to sway them or not.

He should be at the police station now, so i will have some kind of answer as to what is going on-- if the police cant/wont help him, im assuming he will take it into his own hands. not sure if that means going back on his own/with buddies or whatnot. he has seen yours and other posts so he is aware of the dangers that you guys speak of-

i will post back here with results of whatever happens/doesnt happen--

-Chriz