Sleuth, 14, uses a Ring doorbell to catch parcel thieves after secretly placing GPS trackers on packages

A TALENTED teen used a $30 tracker and Ring doorbell camera to sensationally catch a porch thief.

Justin Bankhead, from Utah, has decided to offer a $500 reward to anyone who can catch the criminal snatching the parcel from his front door.

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His son, Cody, 14, decided to get his money back by placing a box outside the house with a GPS tracker activated inside.

The device is an Apple AirTag that retails for $30 and allows people to track their belongings through their smartphones.

Then, early Monday morning, a masked thief drove to their home and snatched a cardboard box before driving away.

The theft was filmed on the family’s Ring doorbell camera.

When they reviewed the footage, the Bankheads used the tracking information on their smartphones to find the suspect’s vehicle and call the police.

The man was later arrested by the police.

Justin’s father said he believes the thief was unaware that there was a tracking device hidden in the package.

He told CNN: “I don’t think he has any clue that this is going to happen.

“If you’re going out there, you’re going to get caught. Everyone is noisy. “

When he caught the crook and received the bounty from his father, Cody said, “Pretty happy. I feel pretty good.”

Talking about how often parcels are stolen, Justin’s dad said: “It’s not just things that disappear. It’s a feeling that I dare not place an order on my front porch.

“Everybody has frustrations about these people running around the neighborhood to get free for all.”

Police have warned any homeowner trying to catch porch thieves to be careful and not put themselves in danger.

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