Cell Phone Bandit Outsmarted by Stolen Smartphone

Wednesday afternoon the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Detectives were searching for a suspect who stole a smartphone from a Family Dollar store and used it to take photos of himself.

James Matthews, 33, of 1054 Frank Welsh Road, Fayetteville has been charged with larceny and possession of stolen goods. 

The suspect was unaware the phone automatically archived the photos and investigators are used them to identify him. The photos were automatically uploaded to a picture sharing website where the victim was able to access them.

The phone was a Samsung Gravity Smart and is valued at around $200

Matthews has been released from the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $2,000, unsecured bond.  He makes a first court appearance on June 26, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Cumberland County District Courtroom 2B.