Police use Apple AirTag to track stolen motorcycle to thief’s bedroom

Apple likes to tout the life-saving potential of its consumer electronics, but AirTags might secretly be the MVP of its portfolio in that regard.

The Leicester Mercury reported that a UK theft victim was able to use the tracking device to find and recover a stolen motorcycle, with the help of local police. Apparently, the AirTag was hidden underneath the bike’s seat, and the thief was keeping the bike in his bedroom. Police arrived, announced they were searching the premises, and found it there after it was stolen earlier this month.

That’s stunningly bad OPSEC by the person in question, who pleaded guilty to the theft last week. Funnily enough, that’s not even the only time someone recovered a stolen motorcycle using AirTags in the month of September. Two suspects were arrested in Missouri earlier this month after they also allegedly stole a motorcycle, though they at least found and discarded the AirTag shortly after the theft, according to investigators. There was also a case a few weeks ago where someone tracked down their stolen luggage and found an alleged thief wearing their clothes, again just from using AirTags.

At any rate, this is all perfect and totally accidental marketing for Apple.