SPRINGFIELD GARDENS — A combination of a quick-thinking cop and cutting-edge technology led to the apprehension of an alleged teenage thief last Thursday, according to the NYPD.
At about 7:15 p.m., police in the 105th Precinct received a call about a robbery. After officers responded to the corner of 145th Road and 183rd Street, they found a 27-year-old man whose wallet, iPhone and iPad had been stolen, according to the NYPD.
He told officers that a man had approached him brandishing a gun and demanded he fork over the electronics and wallet, according to the NYPD.
After the man complied, the alleged robber whacked him over the head with the pistol and fled, police said.
Police Officer Brian Sheil was one of the responding officers, and quickly used a computer program called iCloud to track the stolen iPhone.
The program led officers to 145-20 177th St., a house about 11 blocks away that they soon surrounded.
Darrius Lee, 19, whose address is listed at the house, attempted to flee the premises, but could not outrun officers from the 105th Precinct.
When he was promptly arrested, officers recovered a loaded .380-caliber Hi Point semi-automatic handgun, according to the NYPD.
Lee is charged with robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, assault, menacing and resisting arrest.
