(15 January 2010 – USA) Three Illinois bank robbers jubilation was short lived when police arrived at their doorstep just minutes after they made their strategic getaway.The men, who held up the Calumet City branch of TCF bank, made away with over US$9,000 (A$9,677) in two blue plastic bags, which unbeknown to the thieves contained two credit card sized GPS trackers.
The police followed the signals and arrested the men at the home of one of the suspects parents.
The US$9,000 was quickly recovered with the exception of US$250 which was later discovered in on of the suspect’s socks.
The technology surfaced in Illinois banks about two years ago, said Illinois Bankers Association, spokeswoman, Debbie Jemison, and is so new that the association isn’t sure how widespread its use is. But Ms Jemison said newer security measures such as these may be part of the reason bank robberies have decreased.