Tracking software on a stolen iPad saved Christmas for two Southern California families this weekend, L.A. County Sheriff's officials said.

In the tony community of Westlake Village a man was awaken by noise at 3:30 a.m. on Christmas, and it wasn't Santa Clause in his home, sheriff's officials said. It was a burglar, and the resident chased him into the neighborhood only to soon lose sight of the criminal.

The man got away with gifts, including an iPad, intended for his family. Deputies sniffed around but came up with nothing. But later that morning …

… the victim called the department to say that tracking software on the iPad indicated it was only a few doors away, deputies said.

Patrick Krewson, a 20-year-old visiting from Vista, a community in northern San Diego County, was arrested at the neighbor's house in connection with the case.

The victim got his iPad and other gifts back. But one other family would see their holiday salvaged by this caper, sheriff's officials said.

Detectives say they quickly linked Krewson to a Dec. 22 burglary of Christmas gifts in his hometown of Vista.

Taken: Two flat-screen TVs, a laptop, and more than 40 presents intended for children, according to the sheriff's department.

A search of the suspect's home by San Diego County Sheriff's deputies turned up the items, according to L.A. officials.

And here's where the tears get jerked. According to the L.A. County Sheriff's statement:

When Malibu/Lost Hills deputies notified the Vista victim that her Christmas presents had been located in time to give them to the children for Christmas, she began to cry. One of the cooperating parties involved in the investigation said to Malibu/Lost Hills Deputy Frank Brower upon hearing about the recovered gifts, “Deputy Brower, you saved Christmas!”

Krewson was arrested on suspicion of burglary and was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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