Location Transport

Cell phone location tracking to solve a crime?

I have a bet with my Dad - can police or other agencies use cell phone companies records to solve a crime. for example, can they pinpoint what cell phone was in a particular location at a specific time? Thank You! But they would have to know which cell phone they're looking for right? Say a theft took place at 123 main st on feb 12 at 1:00 am -- can law enforcement get a record of all cell phones who were in that area at that time and then use those people as suspects?

Public Comments

1. Yes, to a certain degree. Each time a cell phone is used, it pings off a tower. Now that can narrow it down as to the general area that that specific tower services, but it can't really pinpoint an exact location.
2. Absolutely. We recently got court orders and located two suspects that had been on the run for over a year. And I'll leave it at that. EDIT- As to the second part of your question, NO. The officers can't do that. There would be no way.
3. They can tell what cell tower it was using, so they can get within about a mile. New phones with GPS can be located within a foor ot 2.
4. Yes. But the phone has to be turned on for this to work. Every time you call 911 it tracks you in a area of about 10fr. We just use this in reverse if we need to track you.