Burglar Nabbed By Cell Phone Kid Tracker

A man suspected of committing at least nine west suburban car burglaries was arrested Wednesday after police tracked him using his latest victim's cell phone, which had a child-tracking feature.

The suspect was caught about 2 a.m. Wednesday, within minutes of the vehicular break-in, according to Riverside police. The phone, stolen from a Riverside resident's vehicle, had a child tracking program that utilizes GPS and allows parents to know the location of their children.

Police worked with the victim to track the phone on a home computer, and within minutes had arrested the suspect and recovered stolen property.

Jeffrey Chapa, 33, of Stickney, is believed to have committed at least nine vehicular burglaries and criminal damage to another vehicle before being caught by Riverside and North Riverside police officers, according to a Riverside detective sergeant, .

Chapa, formerly of Riverside, is scheduled to appear at the Maybrook courthouse Oct. 16 on the misdemeanor charge, according to the sergeant.

"This arrest was an excellent example of the type of police work that builds community trust," Riverside Chief Tom Weitzel said.