The modern technology of using a GPS tracking device on a cellphone helped police capture a fleeing theft suspect Friday night.

Audie Mertz, chief of police in Mahoning Township, said township police were dispatched to Wal-Mart for a retail theft. Two individuals fled before officers arrived on scene.He said township police requested that neighboring police departments watch for the vehicle."Within four minutes officers from Franklin Township spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of a gas station on Route 443," Mertz said."Before officers could attempt to stop the vehicle it accelerated and drove into the oncoming traffic lane onto the McCall Bridge."The vehicle then went down 248 before turning around at Union Hill Road, Mertz said. It continued into Weissport, traveling down a dead end road along the train tracks. The driver, and passenger fled the vehicle, leaving behind two large-screen TVs and used needles.The driver, Elias Cruz of Allentown, was apprehended a short distance from the vehicle. The passenger, Manuel Antonio Rivera-Agosto of Allentown, eluded capture for a brief period of time.Officers were able to utilize GPS tracking on Rivera-Agosto's cellphone as he fled the area on Route 248. He was arrested by Walnutport and Slatington police.Mertz said that during interviews with police, Cruz admitted using K2, a synthetic drug, and Manuel admitted using heroin.Cruz has been charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, fleeing or attempting to elude police, retail theft, criminal conspiracy-retail theft, reckless driving, driving on right side of roadway, and fraudulent use or removal of a registration plate.Rivera-Agosto was charged with retail theft, criminal conspiracy, and possession of drug paraphernalia.Both were committed to the Carbon County Correctional Facility.Mahoning police were assisted by numerous other police departments including Franklin Township, Lehighton, Palmerton, Slatington and Walnutport.