What technology did police use in pursuit of a thief who had stolen $50 in chicken wings and sandwiches?

A Stingray, usually about the size of a briefcase, is a tool that mimics a cell tower in an attempt to intercept information transmitted by nearby cellular devices — and the device is the subject of much controversy because privacy groups question both the ethical and legal ramifications of such data collection.

In Annapolis, Md., police used the tool to try to find a pizza delivery man wanted for stealing about $50 in chicken wings and sub sandwiches.

“The main problem is that the police may be doing something illegal and we have to use mental gymnastics to try and uncover these secret aspects of an investigation that are never written down and turned over to us,” said Jason Ricke, a Prince George’s County assistant public defender. “The police may be violating our clients’ rights and we will never know it."