Of course. Apple invented the concept. . . and integrated it in their iPhones, iPads, and IMacs operating systems, not as an app. . . before Android was released.
However it is apparent this guy did not turn on his basic password protections, much less take advantage of more sophisticated security. Had he done so, the ipad could have been remotely bricked so it could not even be restored by anyone except it official owner. He chose instead NOT to be inconvenienced by having to input a passcode. That was stupid. Without that passcode, he left his ipad vulnerable to any thief to access anything including turning off such things as "FindMyIPhone", Remote Bricking, etc.
When my iPad got stolen, I had it security protected. (See my reply#23.) With a longer than the default 4-character password (people should use more than 4 characters). I ended up remotely wiping it, and figured it was gone.
My question is, is there a separate command to enter while in your possession to brick it, or does wiping the data do that? Yeah, I should know but don't. I see Internet sales of "bricked" machines for cheap because the "owner forgot" the password. Is it really bricked short of swapping out components?
I think, IIRC, the “Find my iPhone/iPad” feature cannot be disabled (even on devices that aren’t password protected) unless one enters one’s Apple ID and password. I had to do this multiple times when I had to reset my iPhone multiple times due to an unrelated issue (iTunes won’t let you “restore to factory defaults” unless you disable “Find my iPhone).
Maybe this has changed (but that would be a step backwards in terms of security) or maybe one can change the settings for Find my iPhone so that one doesn’t have to enter an Apple ID and password. I don’t know.