[giberson]

Glad the person got their Mac back, but why does this story and ones like it always end at the recovery of the property? Could we get an update on the punishment of the criminal? I'd like to know what kind of repercussions the criminals suffer--do they get prosecuted? I'm just curious if these software tracking systems have been used in court as evidence to convict any of these criminals.

[ChuckMcM]

I was wondering that too. I was thinking that perhaps this guy had gone and screwed around with his social network given the facebook screen cap at the end. Of course if someone steals your laptop, and using software you've installed you keylog all their secrets and you use their credit card to buy themselves a hundred pizzas each from 10 stores around town, that would be a bit much perhaps.

I know from experience (not me of course, but that of some kids who stole some stuff from a neighbor) that juveniles who are caught and convicted of petty theft basically get a slap on the wrist, a stern warning about what will happen if they do it again, and sent home.

[Apocryphon]

I'm not sure if it's that easy for the victim to find that information. My family was robbed several years ago and while the police eventually reported that they caught the perps, that was all of the detail they left. Similarly, my girlfriend had credit cards stolen once and neither the police nor the credit card company gave any information except that they had found the people who stole the card. Perhaps this discretion is to prevent people from attempting vigilante followup actions?

[danso]

I'm almost certain that (in the States at least) that information would be public record. After all, the person has to be arraigned and go to trial. Police reports are almost always public information, even reports that don't involve you personally. You just have to go to the station sometimes.

[megablast]

The police aren't going to report to you every step of the way, (why would they?), but that does not mean you can't find that info out. You could even talk to the police officers involved, they would be happy to tell you, if they know.

[andrewpi]

In the US, the perp probably always pleads guilty, so there ends up not being a trial where the victim would be able to learn more about the case.

[jerrya]

  The story you have just heard is true. The names were changed to
  protect the innocent.
  
  On August 12th, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the
  State of __London, in and for the County of __London. In a moment the 
  results of that trial.
  
  Shillip Herbert Keaver was tried and convicted of robbery in the first
  degree - five counts - and received sentence as prescribed by
  law. Robbery in the First Degree is punishable by imprisonment for a
  period of not less than five years in the __London penitentiary. Because
  of the viciousness of the suspect, it was decided that the terms would
  run consecutively.

  You have just heard "DragNet," a series of authentic cases
  from official files. Technical advice comes from the
  office of Chief Constable, Scotland Yard, __London.

[rckclmbr]

This can't be the same person. The laptop was stolen from his house while he was away. This would mean it would be a burglary charge, not robbery.

[jrockway]

This is a parody of an old TV show called "Dragnet". Each episode ended with a dramatic narrator reading something 99.9% similar to the comment you replied to. Same fixed format, everything.

Kids these days :) :)

[tingletech]

still a burglary is when stuff is stolen when no one is there (as in the fine article). A robbery is when something is stolen from your person (like you are help up at gun point for you wallet).

[tingletech]

http://www.sussex.police.uk/advice-and-support/victim-and-wi...

[cbr]

the police probably haven't done anything yet

[satiani]

I don't think there is a need to use the tracking software to build a case against the burglar. They caught him with stolen property and have fingerprints. No need to go high-tech here.

[g-garron]

Maybe the criminal was a minor. At least in my country (Bolivia) if he is a minor almost nothing is done, he'll walk out free. I'm sure this is not the case in every country.