London woman's quick thinking helps police arrest phone thief after dramatic chase

Woman's Phone Stolen in London While Using Maps – Her Quick Thinking Led to a Dramatic Chase — Woman tracks stolen phone, helps police catch thief

A quick-thinking London woman turned the tables on a thief who snatched her phone while she was using Google Maps in the city centre. What followed was a dramatic chase that ended with the criminal's arrest.

The Moment Her Phone Was Stolen

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, was checking directions on her phone near Oxford Street when a man suddenly grabbed it from her hands and sprinted away. "It happened so fast—one second I was holding it, the next it was gone," she said.

How She Outsmarted the Thief

Instead of panicking, the woman remembered her phone was logged into her Google account. She immediately ran into a nearby café, borrowed a laptop, and used Google's "Find My Device" feature to track the phone's location in real-time.

"I could see him moving through side streets," she explained. "I called the police and guided them to his location while following at a safe distance."

The Dramatic Chase

Within minutes, officers intercepted the suspect, who attempted to flee but was apprehended after a short pursuit. The stolen phone was recovered undamaged.

Police praised the woman's calm response, noting that her actions provided crucial evidence. "Her quick thinking and use of technology directly led to an arrest," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.