Highlights

• California man tracks stolen BMW with an Apple AirTag.
• Dash cam and Find My app used to locate and monitor the vehicle.
• Thief abandoned the car after being confronted by the owner.
• Authorities advise against confronting suspects directly.

A man from California managed to get his stolen BMW back by tracking it with an Apple AirTag and using dash cam footage.

Pretty nifty right?

Read on to find out how it could have gone so very wrong

The Incident

Philip Obando woke up one morning to find his BMW missing from outside his house.

Luckily, he had hidden an AirTag in the vehicle and had dash cam video installed, which provided clues about when and how the car was stolen.

Using Apple’s Find My app, Obando could see the AirTag’s location as the thief drove the BMW around Long Beach.

The footage showed the culprit sleeping in the car overnight, swapping out the license plates, and even taking it through a car wash.

Obando got an extra break when he discovered the thief had left his wallet behind in the vehicle.

The Confrontation

Against advice, and urged on by his wife, Obando located the stolen BMW and confronted the thief directly.

To prove ownership, he used the car’s spare key fob to remotely sound the horn.

Surprisingly, instead of turning violent, the thief simply fled the scene on foot when faced with evidence he had been caught.

Obando then found several knives left inside by the thief.

Not Recommended

While Obando successfully retrieved his car himself, law enforcement strongly cautions against confronting criminals, which can turn extremely dangerous.

Police in some areas like D.C. and New York actively promote using AirTags to track stolen vehicles and recoverthem with police assistance.

However, other agencies like San Antonio have warned that directly tracking items can potentially put people at risk of harm.

FAQs

How did the AirTag help in recovering the stolen BMW?

The owner used an AirTag hidden in his BMW to track the vehicle through Apple’s Find My app, allowing him to see the car’s movements and ultimately locate it.

What risks are associated with confronting a car thief directly?

Confronting a thief can be dangerous, as the situation may escalate to violence. It’s safer to involve the police when retrieving stolen property based on tracking devices.

What did the dash cam footage reveal about the thief’s actions?

The footage captured the thief sleeping in the car, changing license plates, and even taking the car for a wash, helping the owner confirm the car’s location and thief’s identity.

Why do police recommend using tracking devices like AirTags for stolen vehicles?

Tracking devices can help law enforcement recover stolen property more efficiently and safely, minimizing the risk to the owner.

What should someone do if they find their stolen vehicle using a tracking device?

It’s recommended to contact local law enforcement to safely recover the vehicle rather than confronting the thief, as personal safety is paramount.

Also Read: Apple AirTags Termed Dangerous, Company to Face Legal Scrutiny Over Stalking and Theft Concerns

Also Read: AirTag Stalking; Two Women Stalked By Exes File Lawsuit Against Apple