PassTime now has a stronger argument about the potential benefits of its GPS devices beyond the payment-increasing potential for buy-here, pay-here dealers and finance companies.

A Philadelphia woman, whose abduction was caught on tape, has been rescued — and her suspected kidnapper arrested — in part with help from GPS of a PassTime device.

Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, a 22-year-old woman who was abducted on Sunday night in Philadelphia, was rescued from the vehicle of her alleged kidnapper, 37-year-old Delvin Barnes, in a Jessup, Md., parking lot Wednesday afternoon, law enforcement officials said. The suspect’s vehicle had been located by law enforcement using the GPS functionality of a PassTime device installed on the vehicle.

Law enforcement narrowed in on the suspect after getting a tip from federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm Office in Richmond, Va., which was investigating Barnes.

After seeing surveillance photos, ATF agents believed the man may have been the suspect, said Philadelphia detectives.

The latest news account of the entire incident is available here.

PassTime, which has been in business for more than 20 years, manufactures and sells GPS devices used for subprime automotive lending, theft-recovery, and vehicle fleet markets.

In the auto finance market, PassTime devices are used by BHPH dealers and finance companies to help assist with timely payment involving consumers with subprime credit. Devices are designed to help remind customers to make payments, and include GPS in the event the lender needs to locate the vehicle. It also offers consumer theft-recovery devices used by customers to help locate their vehicle with GPS in the event of a theft.

While PassTime devices are not designed as law enforcement tools, PassTime has been periodically called on by law enforcement to assist in their investigations.

“First of all, everyone here at PassTime is extremely grateful that Ms. Freeland-Gaither is safe. The hard work of law enforcement led to her rescue and the suspect’s apprehension. We are proud that a PassTime device was instrumental in determining the location of the suspect’s vehicle. It’s a great feeling to know that our devices are helping people- in many different ways,” said Stan Schwarz, founder and chief executive officer of PassTime.

Schwarz added that PassTime devices — which are designed to remind consumers to make their payments and get approved for loans when they have subprime credit — are not typically used to help save a life. But in this instance, the PassTime boss said it may certainly have helped.

The latest development involving PassTime comes after a New York Times story painted an unflattering picture of technology so critical to BHPH operators nowadays — GPS and starter interrupt devices. The feature also described pending litigation involving devices manufactured by one of the industry’s top providers — PassTime.

In response, PassTime officials shared a memo with BHPH Report, reinforcing the quality of its devices and the crucial role the company plays in the success of BHPH operators nationwide.