Hailstorm equipment used by department 4,300 times since 2007 , court told . Device can identify phones from 360-degree antenna from city block away . Detective says department under orders from US government to withhold evidence from courts where device has been used . Comment: The police are using this technology in order to track down people who have committed crimes and then arrest them for those crimes. The Wire , based in same city .
Hailstorm equipment used by department 4,300 times since 2007 , court told . Device can identify phones from 360-degree antenna from city block away . Detective says department under orders from US government to withhold evidence from courts where device has been used . Details resemble original plot of HBO 's series The Wire , based in same city .