By Howard Koplowitz
An alleged iPhone thief was caught in South Ozone Park Friday, four days after he swiped the phone and an app took his photo when he tried to unlock the device, police said.
Brian Chattoo, 23, of 104-71 111th St. in South Ozone Park, was arrested around 3:45 p.m. Friday in front of his home and charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, police said.
The phone was stolen from a 31-year-old Asian woman around 8 p.m. Oct. 3 when she was walking in front of 111-14 Liberty Ave. in Ozone Park as Chattoo allegedly bumped into her, reached into her front right pocket and took her black iPhone 4, police said.
An application called iGotcha was installed on the iPhone and was activated when Chattoo allegedly tried to unlock and use the phone, police said.
Chattoo’s photo was e-mailed to the victim, who brought the picture to investigators, police said.
Officers from the 106th Precinct’s anti-crime division saw Chattoo standing in front of his home at around 3:30 p.m. Friday and, as officers closed in on him, he entered his home and refused to come out, police said.
An Emergency Services Unit team, similar to a SWAT team, was sent to the home and Chattoo “surrendered voluntarily,” police said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
