Crime spree ends thanks to GPS ankle bracelet

Odds are, if you're committing a series of robberies while wearing an ankle bracelet put on you by the law, you might not be the brightest bulb in the bunch. That's exactly what one Ohio resident got up to recently, though unfortunately for him, he was located by the GPS chip embedded in the aforementioned bracelet. Apparently, after six or so burglaries in his neighborhood, police got wise to the situation and pinpointed James Wombles using signals from his fashionable accessory, finding him innocently relaxing in a vehicle filled up with stolen items. The man had no comment, though we imagine upon capture he might have said something like, "Durrr." Once again GPS technology proves it's not just for getting cars stuck in cherry trees.

[Kris @ Mar 13th 2008 12:24PM]

Still not as dumb as the guy who wrapped his head in duct tape as a makeshift mask and passed out while attempting a robbery because he covered his mouth and nose.

[KC @ Mar 13th 2008 2:45PM]

It only took 6 robberies or so, before the police suspected that it was him. He may not be stupid, but desperate for cash.

[paul34 @ Mar 13th 2008 12:29PM]

This is a stupid question... but how do GPS tracking devices (in general) transmit data back?

Does it transmit data back on some cellular channel? GSM? CDMA? some older analog protocol?

[Jux @ Mar 13th 2008 12:57PM]

GPS ankle devices are tracked through a website. The bracelet itself transmits it's location via GPS, and the company behind it has a website that the probation/parole office can use to track information, as well as set up restricted zones, curfews, etc. in order to track the offender. The GPS unit usually uploads it's location every three to five minutes, unless it senses it is in a restricted zone or out of curfew and then it begins transmitting at a higher rate and an alert is sent to the offender's PO.

As someone else mentioned, the picture isn't a GPS device. It's actually a SCRAM alcohol monitoring device, which is used on alcohol abusers. By measuring the TAC (Transdermal Alcohol Content) level of the air coming through the pores in the skin, it can measure if the offender has been drinking and to what level.

[LesbianHam @ Mar 13th 2008 1:02PM]

@Jux

You didn't answer the question.
And yea, I'd assume it uses something similar to what a cell phone would.

[StreetStealth @ Mar 13th 2008 1:16PM]

"The bracelet itself transmits it's location via GPS"

You have everything right except this. GPS itself is NOT a transmission standard; it's read-only.

Most tracking systems are basically cell phones with GPS that just send coordinates instead of calls or SMS.

[elbrando @ Mar 13th 2008 12:29PM]

Damn idiots mucking up the gene pool! He's already stupid enough being a thief, now he's proven to be just plain stupid.

You can't fix stupid, but let's remove the warning labels from everything and let the problem fix itself.

[koswix @ Mar 13th 2008 12:41PM]

I don't know what's worse - that you ripped off a quote from bash.org or that I recognised it (fail)

[elbrando @ Mar 13th 2008 12:53PM]

That quote certainly isn't from bash.org. It's ubiquity has surely reached the same level as "fail" has it not?

Technically, the first part is from Ron White, IIRC. Dunno where the second part came from.

Here's an original quote from me if it makes you feel better, "Context is a powerful thing, especially when you choose to ignore it."

[jay.viz @ Mar 14th 2008 4:26AM]

I think Ron 'Tater Salad' White is funny, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's ripping quotes off bash.org. His main audience isn't exactly the most computer literate bunch.

[Rubicon @ Mar 13th 2008 7:27PM]

Myb they should just place a gps tracker, and a shaped charge in those, guy robs bank, police track him down, blow his leg off, and say it was not their fault, but some company that made the faulty battery

[Gleidus @ Mar 13th 2008 12:31PM]

Damn, and I thought that bracelet was just a cool parting gift the jailhouse gave me.

[hermes @ Mar 13th 2008 12:33PM]

The device in the picture does not have GPS.

[NHAnimator @ Mar 13th 2008 1:29PM]

(and I wonder how hermes would know that)

[Ian @ Mar 13th 2008 12:36PM]

If we all wore GPS devices the Police could catch ALL thiefs.

Oh wait we all do, in our cell phones....

[tf @ Mar 13th 2008 12:37PM]

those are not the shoes of a criminal, the reflections are all wrong.

[Kate @ Mar 13th 2008 12:37PM]

I would consider anyone sporting wingtips, beige slouch socks, and an ankle bracelet a person worth crossing the street to avoid.

[elbrando @ Mar 13th 2008 12:56PM]

LQTM, too true!

*removing sporting wingtips, beige slouch socks, and an ankle bracelet*

[MikeStan @ Mar 13th 2008 12:57PM]

He he, Wombles.

Maybe he thought he was just colleting what people had left behind?

[Darryl @ Mar 13th 2008 2:17PM]

I was wondering if anyone else picked up on that :)

http://www.culttelly.co.uk/lyrics/wombles.html

[Mike @ Mar 13th 2008 1:16PM]

I find it worse that he still performed "six or so" robberies before being caught.

[wjousts @ Mar 13th 2008 3:20PM]

I thought that too at first, but then again, they probably can't go and check the location of every single ex-con with an ankle bracelet for every single crime, just in case. They probably need to have at least some reason to think it might be him first (like finding him in a car full of stolen goods).

[wjousts @ Mar 13th 2008 3:21PM]

In case it's not clear, I'm making an argument on the basis of what is practical. I'm not making some kind of civil rights argument here.

[phanbouy @ Mar 13th 2008 1:17PM]

Alright! Who tied the anklet to Mr. Rogers???

[momma bear @ Mar 17th 2008 10:06AM]

No, you've got it all wrong. Mr. Rogers was strictly a Bass Weejuns and Sperry sneaker kinda guy. God bless you Mr. Rogers. :)

[sepirioth @ Mar 13th 2008 1:21PM]

Crime GeoCaching!

[John @ Mar 13th 2008 1:31PM]

thats what you get from the state of Ohio....

GO BLUE

[Steve @ Mar 14th 2008 9:55AM]

Really? What about North Carolina? How is the crime around Appalachian State these days?

[nickareeno @ Mar 13th 2008 1:55PM]

He may be dumber than Elliott Spitzer, but not much

[Kahlil Sapp @ Mar 13th 2008 2:57PM]

That guy is dumb I dont care what anyone says!

[compubasic @ Mar 13th 2008 2:51PM]

Hey Engadget (Josh), the expression is "brightest bulb in the BOX" not BUNCH.

[bigdoggie @ Mar 13th 2008 4:29PM]

What if you take it off?

[Dan Davis @ Mar 13th 2008 4:50PM]

And he's from Ohio? Shocking!

[Dan Davis @ Mar 13th 2008 4:51PM]

GO BLUE! CLASS OF '04 RULZ!

[phanbouy @ Mar 13th 2008 5:13PM]

stay in school kid

[Dan Davis @ Mar 13th 2008 5:14PM]

Haha! I'm a 32 year old kid!

[AlphaTeam @ Mar 13th 2008 7:00PM]

If you're going to rob a bank, maybe you should cut the thing off first?

[Dlaplan01 @ Mar 17th 2008 11:05AM]

The strap on most of these bracletes actually have wiring ran though it, so if one were to cut it, it would signal the police.

[Lucius @ Mar 14th 2008 10:15AM]

I vote that we start implanting this technology in to newborns. Then crime will cease to exist. Trust me, I'm a college student.

[Wish Belkin @ Mar 17th 2008 8:32AM]

It takes a certain kind of fool to be a thief in the first place, but this guy is a gold-plated jackass.

[kstevend @ Mar 17th 2008 8:36AM]

Given the serious crime stats for Ohio,I doubt burglary tops the list...but they did get him. Just curious,do DWEEBS really get that big a sense of superiority pointing out short comings and errors that really don't matter to the rest of the world...???

[Criminal Mind @ Mar 17th 2008 8:39AM]

If he'd had a proper vocational education and paid attention in class, he'd have known enough to wrap the locator in aluminum foil before embarking on his little program of liberating other people's property. Moral: Stay in school and do your homework!

[Tim Orris @ Mar 17th 2008 9:17AM]

While the police should be commended for catching the crook eventually, the the idea is that the devise notifies authorities when the offender is not at home or work. If someone had been monitoring properly, the first six families would not have been ripped off.
Score one atta boy and six oh damn

[Scott @ Mar 17th 2008 9:18AM]

Why did it take the cops 6 robberies to catch him if he had a GPS strapped to his ankle? Looks to me like there's more than one dumb ass in this story.

[James @ Mar 17th 2008 9:24AM]

He shoulda wrapped his head in tin foil. That would have prevented the aliens from transmitting his location to the authorities.

[Ms 'Ris @ Mar 17th 2008 9:25AM]

actually they can check the location what they lack is probably funds and man power. There are companies (or maybe it's one?) that monitor those ankle bracelets. For the guy to commit 6 robberies that happened outside of his "allowed" area is ridiculous. Who knows maybe it's only violent offenders who are 'watched' more closely. There was a case a few months back in which a young man (late teens, early 20's perhaps) who had raped a girl and beat her, got out with a bracelet and went back and killed her. The company monitoring were aware he had left his 'area' and waiting until the next day to notify police. Obviously by then it was too late.

[Marshall @ Mar 17th 2008 10:00AM]

For those who were wondering why he wouldn't just cut off the bracelet. He is on probation or he wouldn't be wearing one. He has to report to his probation officer probably once a month (minimum). In some cases once a week. If he is caught tampering with the bracelet he goes back to jail on the spot with a new felony charge.

[Rock @ Mar 17th 2008 10:51AM]

Of course this guy is a dumb ass. The real issue isn't one criminal, the issue is what tax payers are getting for their money. Wake up, cops are bottom feeders. The choice was "fry cook" at McDonalds or law enforcement. The creative ones used McDonalds as a stepping stone for a real career. People that are paid from tax payer's funds are generally the most worthless socialist slackers in our society. They don't have to produce anything all they do is coast until retirement. Before you people get your knickers in a knot and start defending useless pigs understand that they only follow their job descriptions, which was written by worthless socialist slackers. Cops are under no obligation to protect you, not in the job description. They aren't the secret service and you aren't the pres. I watched those cowards pissing themselves at Columbine High School while children were being murdered. Look at Virginia Tech, the S.W.A.T. teams were running away from the gunfire. (Special Wimps Actually Terrified) That's the problem with our society, polluted gene pool giving us low life cops and robbers. BTW the dead guy(Mort) that used to write the "Beatle Baily" comic strip made millions by depicting the military as a bunch of bumbling fools. Worthless shade burners that couldn't make it in the real Capitalist world. Government workers equal worthless socialist slackers

[justme @ Mar 17th 2008 1:34PM]

well, just like your name implies....you must live under one also. You are, I am sure, one of those people who are never pleased. If the cops show up...and arrest you because you are doing something wrong...ooh right, you are paying my salary....and when you want us there to save your sorry ass....we don't get there soon enough! Isn't that just the problem. I don't know about the police officers where you live, but the men and women, of the Department where I work, stand up and fight, get shot at, and risk our lives EVERY DAY for people, yeah, even people like you......even then ones that spit on us and talk tough crap about us.....oh, did I mention...they only talk tough about police officers behind the safety of their computers or the other end of their telephones....ooh how brave you must be! And I am very sure YOU ROCK were running into all of those horrible situations....putting your life on the line for all those other people?? Right?? And your BIG BRAVE PROFFESION is what? I am very certain, you would have been running and screaming like a little girl in just about every situation and police officer has ever been in! You make me sick! I hope, one day you need a police officer.....and when they save your sorry ass......which they will (because that's what they do).....maybe, just maybe, you'll be brave enough to thank them.

[Jami @ Mar 18th 2008 2:50PM]

Wow! Bitter much, Rock? Which is it...a police officer threw you in jail curtailing your illustrious criminal career or you tried~and failed~to join a police force or the military? As a former second generation police officer, I imagine I've known more cops than you have, and I find them, by and large, to be the hardest working, most courageous people to ever grace the planet. Some of the smartest people I've ever known were police officers; I personally have an IQ of 165, am a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Dean's List honoree and relinquished a career in meteorology to protect and serve~even ingrates like you. I'm also an Air Force veteran married to a retired soldier, so don't even get me started on the military defending your right to piss & moan and name call in anonymity.