13 Times The Police Used Google Maps To Crack The Case
![13 Times The Police Used Google Maps To Crack The Case](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/4/897614_320x180.jpg)
It is often said that the police are the last line of defense against crime, but what if they had an even bigger and more powerful ally? A tool that could help them solve cases faster and more efficiently?
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No, not Batman, or the Justice League, or the Avengers. We're talking about Google Maps. This remarkable technology has revolutionized the way police investigate and crack cases, allowing them to get to the bottom of even the most complex cases. From finding missing persons to apprehending suspects, Google Maps has been a game changer for law enforcement. In this list, we take a look at 13 times the police used Google Maps to crack the case. From geofence warrants to using satellite images, these stories show just how powerful Google Maps can be in helping police solve crimes. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be amazed by these incredible stories of justice served.
Chef no more.
![CRACKED ELHUERTO DE MANU do grega P NABBING A MOBSTER ON THE RUN In December 2021, Gioacchino Gammino, who had been on the run from the Italian authorities for two decades, was finally caught. Не had been living in Spain, working as a chef, but was spotted on Google Street View and arrested.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/8/897628.jpg)
Google Maps
![CRACKED CATCHING TWO MURDERERS IN INDIA The cops in India used Google Maps to locate and arrest people responsible for killing a taxi driver in 2023. The killers were smart enough not to use their own phones, but dumb enough to use Maps to plan a route at the time of the killing.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/7/897627.jpg)
Man hoards 500 stolen bikes.
![CRACKED CATCHING A GUY WHO STOLE 500 BICYCLES In March 2022, a 54-year-old man in Oxford was taken into custody after Google Earth showed a huge pile of 500 stolen bicycles in his backyard.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/6/897626.jpg)
Google Maps: Not just for directions.
![CRACKED I The Two Para can ROY Explore nearbs ARRESTING SERIAL BURGLARS IN INDIA In October 2020, Indian police caught two burglars from Maharashtra who used Google Maps to find homes to rob. They would find houses in the outskirts of the city and visit the area and observe a few homes, the cops said.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/2/897622.jpg)
Suspect exonerated... by Google.
![CRACKED MIRAGE OBECANE FAILING TO CATCH AN OLD LADY'S BURGLAR In 2019, to find out who had burglarized an elderly woman's home, Florida police used a warrant that let them track any device using Google services nearby. One suspect was cleared when his lawyer showed he had been biking past the house for months.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/3/897623.jpg)
Weed Farming
![CRACKED 5943 Riverbanks Road Grants Pass OR x Q 1943 Riverbanks Rd Explore this area Traffic Bicycing 5943 Riverbanks Rd NABBING AN OVERLY ENTREPRENEURIAL WEED FARMER In 2013, police used Google Earth to spot a drug farmer in Oregon who was growing more marijuana plants than he was allowed. When the police raided the farm, they found 94 plants - three times the legal limit.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/5/897625.jpg)
Robbers Caught on Google Street View
![CRACKED Address is approximate N + - DUTCH POLICE CATCHING ROBBERS The police in the Netherlands apprehended two men after a 14-year-old boy, who had been robbed half a year ago, noticed their clear images on Google Street View. Score another point for technology.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/1/897621.jpg)
Man caught in the act.
![CRACKED Cartagraphie wb D verden Mapas Masping the mundo/Poundo 15 Oranges west Google maps caps Intellations touthe CATCHING A VERY PUBLIC SERIAL MASTURBATOR In 2019, police in Brisbane, Australia caught a 43-year-old man after a Google Street View car took a picture of him doing 27 indecent acts - - specifically, jerking off.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/9/897619.jpg)
Wisconsin Police
![CRACKED + CATCHING A DOUBLE MURDERER In 2010, Wisconsin cops used Google Maps to spot a green Kia minivan that had been seen near the place where a double murder happened - - this helped them to catch the suspect. Turns out, the guy wasn't smart enough to ditch the van.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/4/897624.jpg)
Shoplifter
![CRACKED savers savers phormacyEXPIR HEALTH HOME BEAUTY to de SOS ers so.ers 00 FOOD SMALT ec. ers CATCHING A SHOPLIFTER In 2016, a woman running out of a store in the UK was spotted by a guy on Google Street View. She was wearing the same clothes as when she was arrested for theft, which ended up being key evidence. Lesson: don't steal with a Google van around.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/2/0/897620.jpg)
Google Maps
![CRACKED SOLVING A SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE In 2017, the Milwaukee Police used a Google Maps request to help solve a kidnapping and sexual assault case. This request allowed Google to search for devices near the crime scene, which led to the arrest of two suspects.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/8/897618.jpg)
Caught on Google Street View.
![CRACKED CATCHING DRUG DEALERS IN NYC In 2010, three people suspected of selling heroin were arrested by the police after they were spotted very openly selling drugs on Google Street View in Brooklyn.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/6/897616.jpg)
22-Year-Old Cold Case Solved
![CRACKED Moon Bay cir SOLVING A 22-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE In 2019, police in Florida were able to find the body of William Moldt who had disappeared 22 years earlier. This was only possible because a person who used to live in the area noticed a car submerged in a pond on Google Maps.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/7/897617.jpg)