Local authorities successfully recovered a stolen smartphone on September 22 after tracking the device to an automated kiosk inside a Crossville Walmart. The incident began when a local resident realized their phone was missing following an early morning visit to the recreation park prior to work. Using a tracking application, the owner located the device at the front of the local Walmart near an ecoATM machine, despite not having visited the store that day.

Upon arriving at the scene, the owner confirmed the device’s exact location when their smartwatch automatically reconnected to the phone near the kiosk. Responding Officer Zimmerman contacted the ecoATM customer service live line, identifying as law enforcement to explain the situation. A customer service representative remotely unlocked the kiosk and guided the officer through accessing the internal storage compartment. The missing phone was successfully retrieved and unlocked by its owner using their personal passcode.

Law enforcement has requested further documentation regarding the transaction. The ecoATM customer service team stated they will email a complete sales report, including the driver’s license and photograph of the individual who attempted to sell the device, to the police department within three to five business days.