A stolen Ferrari valued at $575,000 was successfully located and returned by the Waterbury Police Department, thanks to an unexpectedly simple method: a pair of AirPods (the Pro 2 version is currently priced at $199 on Amazon) that were left inside the vehicle. After the luxury car was taken from Greenwich, its owner utilized Apple's Find My feature to track the AirPods, which led the Waterbury Auto Theft Task Force to a gas station on South Main Street.
Suspect Flees, Leaves Behind Evidence
As the police arrived at the scene, the suspect attempted to escape, leaving behind not just the Ferrari but also his iPhone. This evidence allowed law enforcement to identify the suspect as Dion Schontten, a 22-year-old resident of Waterbury, who was subsequently arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft.
Technology Aids in Recovery
This case highlights how common technology and minor oversights, such as forgetting your $150 AirPods in your car, can help resolve significant theft cases. However, it should be noted that the specific model of the AirPods was not mentioned, making the price a mere estimate. An AirTag could have fulfilled a similar function, but given that the thief possessed an iPhone, he might have received alerts about it, potentially changing the outcome. Residents expressed their annoyance over the incident, with one urging the criminal to "go buy yourself a car" instead.
Source: WFSB.com via 9to5Mac