GPS helps track suspects
Updated: November 14, 2012
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS -- Two Champaign men, one a UI student, face charges for allegedly stealing purses from two women. The thefts happened about 2 am, Wednesday.
Police tracked 20-year old student, Thomas Chappell, and 19-year old James Lenz by GPS on a victim's phone. A building service worker found the women's belongings dumped in a parking garage in the 800-block of S. Sixth Street, but cellphones and credit cards were missing.
One victim told police someone used her credit card shortly after the thefts. Chappell also faces charges of obstructing justice after giving police a false name. Lenz is charged with using the stolen credit card.
Police tracked 20-year old student, Thomas Chappell, and 19-year old James Lenz by GPS on a victim's phone. A building service worker found the women's belongings dumped in a parking garage in the 800-block of S. Sixth Street, but cellphones and credit cards were missing.
One victim told police someone used her credit card shortly after the thefts. Chappell also faces charges of obstructing justice after giving police a false name. Lenz is charged with using the stolen credit card.
