‘Find my phone’ found the laptop, and the suspect, after southwest Fresno car break-in

A Fresno woman was shocked to find her two laptops missing from a car outside of her home Wednesday morning, and thought the devices were gone for good.

But Laura Castellon-Brickey was in luck. The suspects didn’t turn off the devices, and sheriff’s deputies were able to track the stolen property, estimated to be worth about $3,000, to a home less than a mile away.

The break-in happened in a neighborhood near South Peach and East Belmont avenues. Castellon-Brickey got that sinking feeling when she stepped outside and noticed that the back door on her car was open. Then, she saw that her personal laptop, as well as a school laptop, were gone.

She made a 911 call and was routed to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, where deputies told her to check a “find my phone” app. She was in luck, the laptop was on and provided an address.

Deputies went to the building, and learned that a man on probation, identified as Christopher Calkin, lived there, meaning the residence was open to a search without a warrant.

The laptops were recovered, along with a large amount of other items, said Castellon-Brickey, who wonders how many other people’s stolen items were in the house.

Castellon-Brickey said she felt fortunate to have recovered her laptops, although she lost notebooks containing study materials for upcoming finals. It’s likely, she added, that the thieves tossed the notebooks in the trash somewhere.

So she is counting on classmates to help her out by sharing their notes.

She is most grateful, however, that her son is OK. He sleeps just feet from where the car was parked.

This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 2:21 PM.