Evidence Goes up in smoke – Laptop spared

In early June, Absolute received a theft report from a Computrace LoJack for Laptops customer after his laptop was stolen from the back seat of his car. Using a series of forensic tools, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team was able to quickly identify the laptop’s unauthorized user – an individual well known to police. Because of the user’s criminal past – which, of no surprise, included a number of petty thefts - police were swift to prepare a search warrant for his home address.

Yet the unauthorized user was not keen to open his door to authorities; after all, he claimed – the door was jammed. Skeptical officers attempted to force entry, although the door appeared to be bolted to the ground (almost as though our suspect has faced this situation before…). With police stuck outside, the standoff continued.  

In the meantime, a dense black smoke emerged from the house’s chimney. As police continued to coax the user into opening the door, the smoke thickened, and omitted the familiar smell of burning plastic. When the user finally relented and let police inside, this odor was explained. In a last ditch effort to destroy any evidence, the user had created a criminal bonfire of sorts. Stolen iPods, gaming systems, and home electronics burned in his fireplace as police looked on. Luckily – the customer’s laptop had been spared.

By mid-June, this laptop was returned to its rightful owner, unscathed. The pyrotechnic suspect has been arrested, and is currently cooling off in jail.

Please note that indictments and criminal complaints are merely unproven accusations and the accused in all cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Learn more about the Absolute Theft Recovery Process.