Woman Charged With Stealing Smart Phones At Night Club

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A smart police officer using smart phone technology has locked up one not-so-smart thief.

The suspect, 39-year-old Ayesha Hayes, allegedly relieved 10 people of their phones and two of their wallets early Sunday at the Castle Chicago NightClub, at 632 N. Dearborn St., said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala.

One victim flagged down a Near North District officer at about 4:15 a.m. Sunday, shortly after the club closed, and told the officer her iPhone had been stolen.

The officer used the "Find my iPhone" app, found it was in a car 1-1/2 miles away, pulled over the car on the 1500 block of North LaSalle Street, and allegedly found the phones and wallets on Hayes, one of two women in the car.

In all, the phones and wallets were valued at more than $5,000, according to Zala.

Police released the other woman without charges.

Prosecutors said Hayes, of 8800 block of South Colfax Avenue, has an extensive criminal history for theft.

Criminal Court Judge Donald Panarese set bond at $200,000 for Hayes, who returns to court Monday.