Created: 10/7/2009 10:16:12 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- When a thief tore through Shannon Mercer's home and made off with jewelry and electronics, the thief did not know a laptop was actually tracking every move.
Mercer had a security system on her laptop called LoJack for Laptops.
"Of course, my back door was kicked in and all my electronics were taken. My bed was turned upside down," said Mercer, describing the day she found her house in disarray.
The LoJack for Laptops meant as soon as she reported it stolen, the computer sent frequent signals to LoJack monitors. The signals sent details, including location and computer activity, which was reported to police.
"Within 24 hours of it being reported stolen, they already had one hit on it," said Mercer.
Mercer told First Coast News Reporter Monica Landeros she eventually got her laptop back, but not before it passed through several hands. It came back with quite a story.
"It was sold several times. It was sold on Craig's List," said Mercer, adding that it was tracked to Arlington where it was last sold for $600.
"You think about all the different people that touched it. 'Where was it? Who where the people? Why did they do this to me?'" Mercer said, describing how she felt after being told her laptop's journey.
Mercer said the person who broke in and stole the laptop has not been caught. However, Mercer said she feels like she got revenge on the thief.
"When someone breaks into your house, you feel violated. To get a piece of it back is pretty neat," said Mercer.
The company with LoJack for Laptops estimates about two million laptops are stolen every year. There is no information on how many of those laptops make it back to the original owners.
Through regular checks of Jacksonville area police reports, First Coast News knows laptop thefts are fairly common in the Jacksonville area.
The LoJack for Laptops software costs about $60 and is available at most electronic stores.
For more information on LoJack for Laptops, Click Here.
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