OREGON COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.kptv.com/technology/22532505/detail.html

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Software Leads Police To Laptop Thieves

Gadgettrak Helping Recover Stolen Laptops

POSTED: 7:43 am PST February 11, 2010

UPDATED: 7:52 am PST February 11, 2010

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Anti-theft software from a Portland-based company helped police track a laptop thief who stole a computer from Gilbert Park Elementary School last month.

Gadgettrak uses wireless signals to pinpoint a stolen laptop's location to within 10 feet. It then relays the information back to the laptop owner.

"We currently have about a 95 percent recovery rate for all of the laptops," said Ken Westin, Gadgettrak's CEO. "Getting the devices back for the customers not only validates our software, but makes me feel good about what we are doing."

If the laptop has an integrated Web camera, Gadgettrak will also take a photo of the person using the system and send that information to the laptop's owner.

Westin said the laptop stolen from Gabriel Park Elementary School was found in Vancouver. He said a photo taken by the software helped in its return.

There have been a number of computer thefts at Portland schools over the past two months, and police have made at least three arrests in the burglaries.

Portland police have not said exactly how many stolen laptops have been recovered with Gadgettrak but Westin said it has led to numerous busts.

Students at Portland State University said the service is well worth the $25 yearly fee.

"A lot of students are like myself -- if they lose their laptop, they kind of are out of luck," said student Roy Proctor.

Gadgettrak is now developing similar software for devices such as Blackberry phones.

Gadgettrak, which launched one year ago, is being used in at least 10 schools and at many other locations across the United States.