iPhone tracker solves burglaries across central Florida

APOPKA, Fla. — An iPhone tracker is being credited with solving burglaries from Mount Dora to Titusville.

Apopka police said a man's stolen iPhone led investigators to a home on Melva Avenue in Ocoee.

Dozens of stolen items from several different burglaries were found in that home.

Investigators said one of the three men is still being held at the Orange County Jail because police aren't sure of his true identity.

Police said they still haven't been able to locate all the victims and are trying to figure out to whom all the stolen items belong.

When Guy Naylor walked into his Titusville home, it had been completely ransacked.

"I came in here and that window was busted out and everything was just dumped everywhere," Naylor said.

Naylor said they nabbed two laptops, a camera and irreplaceable jewelry like his dad's Masonic ring.

Naylor was also missing several guns and watches, all of which he may never have seen again if it wasn't for a tracker an Apopka man put on his new iPhone.

Millard Smith's home was broken into while he was out at dinner.

"I'm always losing everything I own," Smith said.

Thieves got away with about $5,000 in stolen computers, jewelry, cash and his iPhone.

"It looked like a hurricane had tore through the house," Smith said.

The iPhone tracker went to work, alerting Smith and the police to its location at this home in Ocoee.

Once inside, police said they found stolen items related to burglaries from Mount Dora to Titusville and arrested three men.

"I guess they're going to need a semi to haul it off, they had so much stuff from burglaries," Smith said.

Police said a dozen televisions, computers, and tablets were just a few of the items the men stole.

One camera was traced back to Naylor.

"The camera that was stolen, the first picture I took was of my business card," Naylor said.

All of it was located because of Smith's iPhone.

Both men were able to get most of their items from the alleged thieves.

Naylor is hoping his father's Masonic ring is returned.

WFTV