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Station bag thief caught after laptop inside tracks him to French city

The owner contacted police 65kms away when his stolen laptop and tablet showed the items were nearby

A photo of the entrance to the Lyon Part-Dieu SNCF train station

The man’s bag was stolen at the Lyon Part-Dieu train station but recovered more than 65km away Pic: BalkansCat / Shutterstock

A man in France has successfully recovered his stolen suitcase and belongings after he geolocalised the items 65km away and contacted the local police there who sent out officers.

The 42-year-old’s bag was stolen at the Lyon Part-Dieu station on August 4 and he tracked it to Saint-Etienne (65 km away). The bag had an Apple MacBook computer and iPad tablet inside and the owner tracked the devices remotely, specifically to the Place Bellevue.

He then contacted the police station in Saint-Etienne, which dispatched a team on-site. 

The 32-year-old thief was identified on a bar terrace with a bag, and when he saw the police arrive, he abandoned the terrace, leaving the bag. All of the owner’s belongings were still inside.

The thief was arrested and was also found to have small amounts of cocaine and cannabis resin on his person.

He was questioned in connection with the bag theft and drugs and placed in police custody. 

He will be summoned to appear before a court for further questioning and a sentencing decision soon.

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