On Thursday, May 19, Portland police arrested an armed robbery suspect with the help of an Apple AirTag.
Apple AirTag Helps Police Arrest Suspect
The authorities said on May 19, just before 12:40 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery in the 100 block of Northwest Broadway in Portland, Oregon, according to NBC 25 News.
The authorities said the victim worked at the business in the area and told officers that someone had gone into the store, pointed a gun, and demanded money.
Police said that the victim showed the robbery suspect an empty drawer, and that was when the suspect took the victim's phone and wallet instead and left.
The officers were able to track the victim's iPhone to the area of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Pine Street.
Also Read: Apple AirTags Used by German Researcher Uncover Secret Intelligence Agency
Police looked at surveillance videos from TriMet and local businesses and were able to see the robbery suspect go into the Embassy Suites Hotel but then leave again.
Just before 5:00 p.m., officers were called by hotel security and told that the robbery suspect had returned. The police tried to approach the suspect, but he ran and disappeared into the hotel.
Shortly after, a fire alarm inside the hotel went off. Once there, police said officers found a fake gun on the fire escape.
A short time later, a guest in the hotel told the authorities that someone had broken into his room and stolen some items, including a distinct backpack, which had an AirTag attacked to it, according to KATV.
Officers were then able to track the robbery suspect into North Portland, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
The police said that a deputy from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and officers found the robbery suspect, with the backpack and AirTag, near North Interstate Avenue and North Killingsworth Street.
The police tried to stop the suspect, but he ran off. Police said officers chased him to the 5800 block of North Minnesota Avenue, where they were able to take him into custody.
The robbery suspect was identified as 39-year-old Justin Johnston. The officers said Johnston was charged with robbery in the second degree and burglary in the first degree.
AirTag Blamed for Luxury Car Thefts
Although Apple AirTags have been praised for helping victims find their missing or stolen items, it has also been accused of helping assist criminals in stealing luxury cars, according to 9to5Mac.
The York Regional Police department issued a statement detailing the situation. According to the department, officers have investigated five incidents involving Apple AirTags being used to steal luxury cars.
The Apple AirTags are reportedly placed in areas of the target vehicles when they are parked in public places.
The thieves then track the targeted luxury vehicles to the victim's residence, where they are stolen from the parking lot or driveway. From there, the thieves would use tools like screwdrivers to enter the car through the door while ensuring not to set off alarms.
Once inside, an electronic device used by mechanics to reprogram the factory setting of the vehicle is connected to the onboard diagnostics port below the dashboard and programs the car to accept a key the thieves have with them.
The car will start once the key is programmed, and the thieves can easily drive it away.
The police advise car owners to inspect their cars regularly and call the authorities if they have any suspicious potential tracking devices.
Authorities also warned users about how stalkers use AirTags to their advantage.
Related Article: Apple AirTags Can Stalk People and Here's How to Stop it
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Written by Sophie Webster
