Alleged serial Florida luggage thief arrested due to Apple Airtag

Florida authorities have arrested a suspected serial baggage thief because of an Apple AirTag — a tool that enables Apple prospects to maintain observe of their private objects.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Workplace (OCSO) arrested Giovanni De Luca, 19, after the company’s Airport Safety Unit “grew to become conscious of suspicious exercise” involving numerous objects stolen from the Destin–Fort Walton Seashore Airport.

“This arrest is an instance of wonderful teamwork by our Airport Safety Unit, our Investigators, and the Airport to search out the individual answerable for these thefts and ensure he's held accountable,” Sheriff Eric Aden mentioned in a Fb publish final week.

Two vacationers reported their baggage stolen in July and August after their luggage by no means arrived at their locations. The vacationers’ baggage contained a mixed whole of practically $17,000 value of things and jewellery, in line with OCSO.

Giovanni De Luca was arrested after the Airport Security Unit made note of various items being stolen from luggages at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.
Giovanni De Luca was arrested after the Airport Safety Unit made observe of bags being stolen from Destin-Fort Walton Seashore Airport.
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Workplace

The traveler who reported her bag stolen in July advised authorities that her Apple AirTag pinged at a location in Mary Esther, Florida.

Giovanni De Luca was arrested by the Okaloosa County Sheriff Office, as he currently faces two counts of grand theft.
Giovanni De Luca was arrested by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Workplace, and faces two counts of grand theft.
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Workplace

Investigators cross-referenced staff who lived in that space and made “consensual contact” with De Luca at his house, the place they recovered the objects reported lacking in August. 

The suspect admitted to going by the opposite traveler’s bag and eradicating her Apple AirTag. Her luggage haven't been recovered, in line with the sheriff’s workplace.

De Luca, an airline subcontractor, is dealing with two counts of grand theft.

Whereas Apple AirTags can lead police to suspected criminals, they've additionally been abused by criminals to trace victims in a development dubbed “AirTag stalking,” in line with numerous native police departments. The gadgets do have sure security options meant to maintain customers protected, reminiscent of the power to inform when an AirTag has been separated from its proprietor. 

Launched in April 2021, the AirTag is a quarter-size system that Apple describes on its web site as “a super-easy solution to hold observe of your stuff.” 

Customers can connect the $29 AirTag to a cellphone, a set of keys, and even drop one in a handbag to maintain observe of their objects by Apple’s “Discover My” app, which permits customers, in addition to their family and friends members, to trace Apple gadgets. 

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