PSA: Don't check Facebook while robbing someone's house

[Analog]

Who says social networking is worthless? Facebook has now proven instrumental in identifying the culprit in a burglary in which two diamond rings were stolen from one Pennsylvania woman's home. How did Facebook get into the mix? Because the thief decided to take a break during his break-in and figured he'd check his Facebook account using the computer in the victim's house.

That's stupid enough, but then the crook didn't even bother to log out of the site before leaving the house. The victim immediately put it all together (really, how could you not?), and police were able to use the identity of the alleged perpetrator -- one Jonathan G. Parker -- to track him down in short order.

The rest of the investigation is relatively straightforward: Cops found Parker through a friend, discovered an acquaintance whom Parker had asked to be part of the burglary, and ultimately tracked down Parker himself. He's now in custody on $10,000 bail and facing up to 10 years in prison if he's convicted for the crime.

Social networks continue to be a major part of legal news of late. Australia is using Facebook and MySpace to send legal subpoenas. And crooks now regularly case Twitter in order to figure out when potential victims are going to be away from their homes.

Is there no part of society that's safe from the long arm of the law... and the longer arm of the criminal?


http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/151145

 

[tasmanian]

lol fail

 

[TurtleCrusher]

No effin way. Some people.

 

[JJChicken]

lol

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: Analog
And crooks now regularly case Twitter in order to figure out when potential victims are going to be away from their homes.
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/151145

That does not suprise me at all.
I keep telling the teeny-boppers (because they are dumb suburbanites who dont know shit about the world) that they need to stop and think when using social networking sites. They could be letting a rapist, murderer or insurance salesman into their lives.

And I hadnt thought of it before but its also a great place for burglers to check up on their potential marks. Same with the cell phones that constantly tell your friends where you're at and what you're doing. I know iPhones have about a dozen apps that do this, but I think WebOS and Android can do it too.

 

[marvdmartian]

They should strike a deal with this idiot. 5 years in prison, but he has to wear a sign the whole time he's there, that says, "MY DUMB ASS GOT CAUGHT CUZ I CHECKED MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT". :laugh:

 

[her209]

Throw the book at his face!

 

[venkman]

Jonathan G. Parker is robbing some chicks house.

 

[polarbear6]

May be .. He wanted to frame some one ..

 

[xanis]

So much fail it hurts.

 

[Miramonti]

Facebook puts CSI fingerprinters out of a job. Its bad for the economy.

 

[Dari]

Are social networking sites really that addictive? I don't have a myspace or facebook account. I just don't like my personal information on the internet like that. Am I missing something?

EDIT: I just have email and cellphone

 

[Nik]

lol I'm going to post this on facebook

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Dari
Are social networking sites really that addictive? I don't have a myspace or facebook account. I just don't like my personal information on the internet like that. Am I missing something?

EDIT: I just have email and cellphone

I have them but what personal info do people put on there that could harm you??? What city you live in? Your name? Those are not difficult at all to figure out without myspace or facebook.

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Dari
Are social networking sites really that addictive? I don't have a myspace or facebook account. I just don't like my personal information on the internet like that. Am I missing something?

EDIT: I just have email and cellphone

I have them but what personal info do people put on there that could harm you??? What city you live in? Your name? Those are not difficult at all to figure out without myspace or facebook.

With city/name you can find out a LOT about someone. That's really all you need to get started and, when you're finished, know that person's private information with a few dollars and the internet.