Stupidity: There's an app for that

There’s no "app for that" but a Dayton Police sergeant applied his own police training and used an iPhone to identify a reckless driver early Monday, June 8.

Sgt. Mark A. Ponichtera was patrolling the 1400 block of South Smithville Road when he noticed a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass driving 64 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to a police report.

Ponichtera used his portable spotlight to get a look at the driver, he said in his report. Ponichtera followed the car which turned onto Woodbine Avenue and clocked the Cutlass driving 50 mph in a 25 mph zone, the report stated.

Ponichtera tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver accelerated to about 80 mph, the report stated. Ponichtera ended his pursuit when it became too dangerous for other drivers and pedestrians, the report stated.

But minutes later Ponichtera witnessed the driver running on foot and found the Cutlass abandoned on Northdale Road. Ponichtera searched the vehicle and found the driver’s iPhone on the floorboard of the car.

Ponichtera found the driver’s name in an e-mail, along with several pictures of the driver saved on the phone.

Ponichtera let dispatch know and broadcast was made with the driver’s identity and description. Police are still searching for the driver, who has a criminal history and is known to police.

Police impounded the Cutlass.