BPD: Cops use phone app to nab alleged muggers

Boston Police used a cell phone tracking app to apprehend two juveniles who had just mugged two people in Dorchester early Sunday.

Police allege the pair of 17-year-olds, a boy and a girl from Boston, stole a purse and two cell phones and pistolwhipped one of the victims near 9 Alban Road shortly after 1 a.m.

Police used the “Track My iPhone” app to trace the stolen goods to the area of Bushnell and Van Winkle Streets.

The stolen phones, according to police, appeared to be travelling along the path of the Red Line toward Mattapan Square.

Police then radioed to officers in that district who boarded the trolley after it entered the station. They found two suspects who fit the description of the alleged assailants. The two were searched and police found the stolen property as well as a black-painted Airsoft gun in the male suspects’ waistband.

Since they are minors, the names of the teens were not released.

They now face charges of armed robbery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and buying, receiving and concealing stolen goods.