Old Flip-Flops Lead to Phone Thief’s Capture at Toronto Casino

A Stolen Phone Sparks an Unusual Investigation

Jason Zhao’s father’s iPhone was stolen from a supermarket in Toronto’s Scarborough area around 11:30 am on a recent Monday. This theft sparked an unexpected and determined effort by Jason to recover the device. His pursuit would eventually track the stolen phone to a casino in the Toronto area.

The Flip-Flop Photo That Changed Everything

Using iCloud’s Lost Mode feature, Jason traced the stolen phone initially to a mall, suspecting attempts to erase or sell the device. Shortly after the theft, a surprising clue emerged when a photo appeared on the iPad linked to the stolen phone. The image showed the thief’s feet clad in old, worn flip-flops – an accidental yet crucial detail that would help identify the suspect.

Following the phone’s signal, Jason tracked the thief’s movements on a bus to a north-end apartment in Toronto. When the phone signal went offline in the early afternoon, it later resurfaced, this time pinpointed to a casino located on the western side of the city.

Tracking the Suspect at the Casino

The GPS location and travel distance pointed strongly towards the Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto. Jason traveled about 22 miles to the site, keeping the image of the distinctive flip-flops in mind. Upon arrival, he tried using the phone’s sound feature to locate it, but the casino’s noisy environment made the alerts inaudible.

Instead, Jason began scanning for anyone wearing the recognizable flip-flops. When he spotted a man matching the description, he again triggered the phone’s sound, though no sound was heard. The suspect’s reaction was enough to convince Jason he had identified the right person.

Getting Help and Apprehending the Thief

Jason approached the casino’s security staff, but was told the theft was off their jurisdiction. Undeterred, he followed the man while calling police. After a lengthy hold on the non-emergency line, Jason called 911, describing the suspect as agitated and potentially aggressive, which prompted a rapid police response.

Toronto Police arrived as the suspect stepped outside for a smoke. They seized the stolen phone, along with another device the man had, and arrested him. Notably, the suspect had removed the SIM card from the phone, hiding it with tissues, a lighter, and cigarettes.