Apple AirTag leads to arrest of mail theft suspects in Southern California

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

POLICE NABBED TWO MAIL THEFT SUSPECTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – AFTER A WOMAN’S CREATIVE USE OF AN APPLE AIRTAG.

FRUSTRATED BY REPEATED MAIL THEFTS FROM HER POST OFFICE BOX, THE WOMAN MAILED HERSELF A PACKAGE CONTAINING AN APPLE AIRTAG. THIEVES STOLE THE TAGGED PACKAGE, ALONG WITH HER OTHER MAIL.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TRACKED THE AIRTAG TO A RESIDENCE IN SANTA MARIA, ABOUT 16 MILES FROM THE LOS ALAMOS POST OFFICE.

THERE – THEY ALSO DISCOVERED NOT ONLY THE VICTIM’S MAIL BUT ALSO ITEMS BELIEVED TO BE STOLEN FROM MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER INDIVIDUALS.

27-YEAR-OLD VIRGINIA FRANCHESSCA LARA AND 37-YEAR-OLD DONALD ASHTON TERRY, 37 WERE ARRESTED AND BOOKED ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES INCLUDING POSSESSION OF CHECKS WITH INTENT TO COMMIT FRAUD, CONSPIRACY, IDENTITY THEFT, AND CREDIT CARD THEFT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO IDENTIFY AND CONTACT ADDITIONAL VICTIMS, SUGGESTING THE OPERATION’S IMPACT MAY BE MORE WIDESPREAD THAN INITIALLY THOUGHT.