iPhone helps police track down suspected teen carjacker in Apopka

APOPKA, Fla. — A teenager was arrested, accused of carjacking two women in their front yard.

The driver said she told police she'd just come home from church and was helping her 84-year-old friend out of her car outside a home on Raleigh Street, when the teen jumped in the driver's seat.

Officers said the driver tried to keep the teen from taking the car, but he put the car in gear and drove away.

"She tried to stop the individual but he put up a struggle, but she couldn't. She couldn't' fight him off," said Sgt. Vince Ogburn of the Orlando Police Department.

Police said they were able to catch the 17-year-old because of the woman's iPhone that he stole after he beat her with her own purse.

Officers said it took about two hours to trace the iPhone signal to a Super Walmart on Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka.

Undercover officers said they moved in and found the teenager sitting the car.

"He rammed a couple of vehicles, placed a lot of officers in fear of their lives, but tore up our cars and also damaged the victim's vehicle as well," said Ogburn.

They confronted him, but police said the boy would not come out.

Officers said the teen locked himself in the car, forcing them to smash the window to get to him.

The teen, whose name was not released, was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, carjacking and assault with a weapon.

WFTV