Cell phone victim helps deputies recover property

[September 01, 2010]  MALIBU, Calif. (AP) -- A man who bought a cell phone online, only to find it was the same one that was stolen from his car, tipped off California sheriff's deputies, who arrested a man they believe broke into dozens of vehicles.

Deputies arrested 28-year-old Neil Hefner and recovered 163 cell phones, along with computers, wallets, gift cards and rare coins. He was booked for investigation of burglary.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Benedict says one victim was looking for a new phone on Craigslist, found one that looked like his old one and bought it.

When it arrived, many of his phone numbers were still programmed into it, so he called deputies. Benedict says the seller's return address was on the package.

[Associated Press]

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