I believe at the point of sale the upc is scanned and then an activation code or IMEI for gsm phones. The esn id is used for cdma networks. A burner phone is really nothing more than a prepaid phone which uses common large networks.
Sometimes Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the United States lease wireless telephone and data spectrum from major carriers such as AT&T Mobility, Sprint Corporation, T-Mobile US, and Verizon Wireless for resale.
So every cell phone has a unique ID by phone and computers allowing it to be used on a network. While the purchaser of the phone can use a false ID to identify themselves, the phone itself is traceable back to the point of sale.
Here's where it gets tricky. Most stores but not all use point of sale surveillance and can retrieve the receipt giving them info on the sale like time of day, how it was paid for and that IMEI or ESN number scanned. They can then match up the surveillance video to the day and time of sale and possibly ID the person who purchased the phone.
IMO this is what occurred and LE isn't willing to share that info. MOO
That would mean that between Friday when the Runions were reported missing, and the first time they talked to RJT, which was before Saturday night, LE managed to:
Find the phone number the Runions had called regarding the Mustang.
Then:
Called the number and asked who it belonged to and RJT told them it was him? That would be pretty stupid on RJT’s part.
Tracked the ID number to the store it was issued at, got the time it was purchased, got the video that showed who bought it, and ID’d the person in the video? Dang, they are faster than 99.9% of other LE agencies.
Tracked the number to a certain area with GPS provided by the Runion’s family and the location was the Towns property? Did they have a name to go with the number?
If so, then the first contact with RJT follows.
If not, did they jump on RJT because they had investigated him for petty theft? That would be pretty thin unless the local LE are the ones trying to railroad him.
These guys must have had a lot of information to move that fast, so I can only assume that the Runion's Family were able to provide them with all communications regarding the Craigslist interaction.
Does anybody have any idea why the cops keep refusing to say whether The Runion's were carrying cash with them or not ? What difference does it make to them ? They either were, or they weren't.
They already pressed armed robbery charges against Towns, and they are pretty certain that he murdered them, so why all the secrecy around whether or not they were carrying a wad of cash on them ?
I'll probably get the usual comments about how that information will impede the investigation, and if you are one of the ones that make that kind of comment, please explain further what possible difference it makes.
Scenario 1: If it could be proven the Runions had $20,000 on them, but only $10,000 was found with RJT, where did the rest of the money go? If someone else was involved, trying to get that information out of RJT without letting whomever else know LE knows there is a discrepancy might keep other person (who thinks they are home free) from running. Scenario 2: Armed robbery could be regarding the Envoy. If so, that one might be hard to make stick in the long run (it can't have been taken by force if the Runions were already dead). Saying nothing means no media giving opinions on that and second guessing charges. Scenario 3: RJT had $30,000, but the Runions were only carrying $20,000. Where did the rest of the money come from? Could there be someone involved in that? If so, see Scenario 1 above. Scenario 4: No money found. Where is the motive for killing the Runions? LE might need to find that motive first, or might need to adjust the charges depending on the investigation (this happens frequently). JMO, as per the norm.
You know, we've heard that the phone was "apparently purchased for the crime" or something along those lines and turned off soon afterward. One thing I'd really like to know (and I know we're not likely to, any time soon) is exactly WHEN it was purchased...and whether it was also used for other calls (and to what numbers).
I agree. I keep reading conflicting reports (it was shut off shortly after, it pinged the next day further south, it was purchased for the crime, it was purchased for the crime or some similar crime planned...). Need facts....:waiting: