Cops catch teen by text message

A suspected burglar was arrested after police sent text messages on his mobile

Police in North Carolina have caught a teenager suspected of burglary by using text messages.

The police were called after a series of break-ins at businesses in Hickory and went to the apartment of a suspect, who promptly fled. Officers set off in pursuit but initially had little success.

"He is 16 and pretty slim, so he outran our officers," Mayor Coy Reid told the Hickory Daily Record.

"When we lost track of him, the deputies searched several nearby areas. One of them walked about 50 yards from where the suspect was last seen, and found him laying down behind a tree."

The teenager was arrested and the police confiscated his mobile phone. As they were doing so the suspect got a text message from another teenager asking if he had been caught.

The police then replied 'no' and asked for the person to come and pick up the suspect. Shortly afterwards a car arrived and the police were able to arrest another suspect who they believe was a partner in the crime.

Shortly afterwards they found a van containing much of the stolen property, which was then returned to its owners.