Police alleged that after 33-year-old Alex Batista was found in possession of the GPS device while riding his bicycle, police officers activated its "home" function and followed it to the device's real owner, New York Newsday reported Saturday.

Once arriving at the home, the owner told officers he was unaware the van to which the GPS device belonged had been vandalized.

"He says, 'It's mine. It should be in that van over there,'" Sgt. Brian Scott said of early Saturday crime.

Police then arrested Batista and charged him with larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, Newsday said.

In addition to the two misdemeanor charges, Batista also was issued a ticket by police for using his bicycle at night without a light.