POLICE are urging people to record details of their mobile phones after it helped them catch a street robber.
Detectives had no clues about who was responsible for the attack on David Perrin after it was reported.
His phone was stolen during the robbery in the early hours of the morning as he walked home from a night out in Holderness Road, east Hull.
After Mr Perrin gave officers his mobile phone's IMEI number – a unique identification code – they were able to trace his phone as being sold later that day at Cash Express.
Last week, Reese Tomlinson, 21, was jailed for 18 months after admitting the robbery on April 27.
Detective Inspector Nicki Miller, of the city's priority crime team, said: "This case really shows the importance of recording the IMEI number.
"When this robbery was reported to us, we had no suspects in mind and no description of the offender. The chances of catching them could have been slim.
"However, because we had the victim's IMEI number, it led to the immediate identification of the offender and we were able to recover the phone and reunite it with its owner."
The phone was traced by a computer system that sees police working with second-hand dealers in the city.
It was set up after police in the city dedicated two officers to solely working with second-hand shops in a bid to trace stolen property.
When officers entered Mr Perrin's IMEI number into the system, it showed the phone had been sold at Cash Express.
Tomlinson had sold the phone for £155 and left his details at the shop in Holderness Road.
DI Miller said: "From not knowing who the suspect was, we got a hit that gave us his name and address. Within an hour of getting that, the offender was locked up.
"I would strongly recommend people record their IMEI number or register their phones on the internet database Immobilise.
"These details will be needed if the owner is the victim of any offence like theft, burglary or robbery or even if they simply lose it."
Hull Crown Court heard Tomlinson cycled up behind Mr Perrin and said "All right, mate".
He then got off his bike and attacked Mr Perrin from behind, leaving him with head injuries.
Prosecutor Jeremy Evans said: "The next thing, the defendant jumped on his back, dragging him to the floor, and said to him, 'You have a mobile phone and I'm having it'."
Tomlinson pushed Mr Perrin face down on to the ground, sat astride him and took his phone from his pocket.
The victim suffered grazing to his head and arms.
DI Miller said: "This was a deliberate, opportunist attack on a man who was clearly vulnerable because he was in drink.
"I hope the sentence given can give the victim peace of mind that this offender is not able to commit further offences and gives them closure.
"This is a rare and unusual offence, but I would remind people to be vigilant when walking home alone in drink as they may be seen as an easy target."
