Alleged Adelaide carjacker caught out by tracking app on victim’s iPhone

A quick-thinking car owner has managed to outsmart an alleged carjacker using her phone’s technology. Pictures: 7NEWS Adelaide

A man has been arrested over a bizarre alleged carjacking in the CBD after the car’s owner managed to help police track him down using a phone app.

Vanessa Osovnikar’s boyfriend was sitting in the passenger seat of her Toyota sedan in Bray St, about 7.15pm Sunday night, while he waited for her to finish work.

They told 7News Adelaide the suspect suddenly opened the door and allegedly jumped behind the wheel, forcing Vanessa’s boyfriend to flee the car leaving his phone behind.

The quick-thinking couple immediately contacted police using Vanessa’s iPhone, then were able to track and share the alleged thief’s movements with officers thanks to a tracking app.

Vanessa Osovnikar managed to track an alleged car thief using her iPhone. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Vanessa Osovnikar and boyfriend are reunited with her car. Picture: 7NEWS

The car was followed by a police helicopter for about an hour while it travelled through the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

Eventually, the suspect abandoned the car at the intersection of Payneham Road and Ashbrook Avenue at Payneham.

The man, a 27-year-old from Croydon Park, was arrested a short time later by patrols who had been directed by the police helicopter.

He was charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, driving disqualified and driving dangerously.

He was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.