The next few lines might sound like the plot of a Hollywood action thriller (and who knows, maybe one day they will make it to the big screen?), but this is no fiction. It is actually a true story, with an iPad playing the role of the unexpected hero.
It all started with a Ming vase stolen from a Swiss museum, a shooting at a comedian's house in Woodford, East London and the robbery of a luxury apartment. At first, these events seemed totally unrelated, but they were actually all part of a complex international crime network that police managed to unravel after six long years of investigation.
The turning point? An iPad mini, buried just under an inch of sand on the banks of the River Thames. The tablet turned out to be the key piece of evidence that helped police crack the case. Thanks to this discovery, three individuals were convicted for their involvement in the near-assassination of one of Britain's most infamous armed robbers.
Even without working, the iPad was able to give the needed information to solve the case. | Image credit – Met Police
The report goes over all the steps taken and how the crimes were connected. But one of the most crucial moments came in November 2024. It all started with a small clue in a statement that led the police to a specific part of the River Thames with a metal detector.
There, they found a cellular iPad buried just under an inch of sand and covered in mud. Thanks to the forensics team, they managed to retrieve the SIM card. The data from it revealed crucial links between the iPad, an iPhone and various suspects, shedding light on the case.
I can't repeat the words I used but my jaw dropped. What a beautiful piece of the puzzle to put together.
– Detective Chief Inspector Webb, Met Police, March 2025.
Police were able to trace email accounts back to the main suspect and his close associate, which led them to investigate 59 purchases on Amazon and eBay. Among the purchased items were unregistered Nokia burner phones, which were used to coordinate the murder plot.
Ultimately, the three men, all seasoned international criminals, were brought down by determined detectives who tracked their discarded tech. They were convicted of conspiracy to murder, with sentencing scheduled for April 25.
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: