Man attempts to rape woman; Apple Watch comes to rescue
What's the story
As much as the Apple Watch may pass off as a swanky item, the smartwatch has proven time and again that it just might save your life. In fact, the device even came to the rescue of a Canada woman, when her stalker broke into her Calgary apartment as she slept, with plans to rape her for weeks. Here are more details.
Incident
Woman was asleep; saw shadowy figure after being shocked awake
According to CBC, after returning from work on April 1, the woman fell asleep on her couch with her phone plugged in beside her. Around 90 minutes later, her sleep was disturbed by barking of dogs, and she noticed a shadowy figure inside her home. When the woman reached for her phone, she noticed it wasn't where she left it.
Aid
Woman used Apple Watch to text boyfriend, who called police
The woman realized she had the Apple Watch on her wrist and used it to text her boyfriend. She asked him if he had just come home. When he said that he hadn't, the woman asked him to call the police. Initially, he thought it was an April Fool's joke, however, he soon realized that she was serious and called 911, Calgary Herald reported.
Police
Police arrived; rescued woman
The woman pretended to be asleep as the intruder moved closer towards her, close enough that she could feel his heavy breathing. That's when the police knocked on the apartment door and the intruder hid in the kitchen. Meanwhile, the woman ran towards the door and the police arrested the man. The woman later told the police she thought she was going to die.
Information
Man found carrying rape bag, with condoms, ties, lubricrant
According to CBC, the intruder, identified as John Joseph Macindoe (33), was carrying a "rape bag"—a black bag which was found to have been containing a balaclava, buck knife, pliers, zip ties, condoms, lubricant, Benadryl, a ball gag, bondage straps and pink animal-print duct tape.
Planning
Woman's hair, underwear found from man's apartment
When the police search through Macindoe's apartment, they found him to be in possession of the woman's underwear and her hair kept inside Ziplock bags. He had also cloned the building's access card, her apartment keys and had a blueprint of the building complex with her apartment circled. The screensaver of Macindoe's computer was this woman's photo. Reportedly, the two were acquaintances.
Court hearing
Macindoe pleads guilty before court
The facts of the case were revealed during a court hearing this Tuesday before provincial court Judge Margaret Keelaghan. Macindoe pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including breaking and entering with the intent to commit sexual assault. While Macindoe remains in custody, the court will hear sentencing arguments from prosecutor Rosalind Greenwood and defense lawyer Rebecca Snukal at a later date.
Other incidents
Not the first time Apple Watch came to someone's rescue
Earlier this month, a man and his partner in New Jersey slid down a mountainside while hiking and were severely injured. The man's Apple Watch's Fall Detection feature called emergency services and help arrived just in time. The Apple Watch's ECG capabilities have also come in handy. Last year, it detected that a man was experiencing atrial fibrillation, allowing him to seek urgent care.