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Tech-savvy tourist leads Victoria police to stolen goods

Alberta woman activates iPad GPS, leads police to 'department store' of stolen property

An Alberta tourist used a GPS application on her stolen iPad to lead Victoria police to a cache of stolen goods in Esquimalt.

The woman was staying with friends in the 4300-block of Saanich Rd. Thieves broke in Monday night and raided the home while it was unoccupied, taking her iPad and other electronics.

When the woman returned to the property, she used a software application to track her iPad, leading her and a friend to the 600-block of Admirals Rd.

VicPD were then able to zero in on an apartment and obtain a search warrant. Police found cardboard boxes filled with credit cards, plastic tubs full of laptops, guitars and approximately three litres of GHB stacked throughout the suite.

“This suite was a virtual department store of stolen property,” Sgt. Barrie Cockle said in a statement. “The work by this tourist and our officers will put a significant dent in property crimes throughout the (Capital Region).”

Two men and two women were in the suite at the time and are being investigated in the incident.

Monday’s search warrant is the sixth time VicPD has raided residences in the Esquimalt neighbourhood since March.

dpalmer@vicnews.com