How AirTags led police to an alleged luggage thief at Florida airport
AirTags continue to prove themselves as the heroes we didn't know we needed in 2022.
Apple's tracking device helped locate a traveler's missing suitcase and items after failing to arrive at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) earlier this month, due to alleged theft by an airport employee.
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Police successfully located a traveler's missing suitcase containing more than $15,000 worth of jewelry after the traveler reported that her bag was missing on Aug. 9. It never appeared on the luggage carousel at VPS, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Airport Security Unit, located outside of Fort Walton Beach.
Officers found the missing items using an AirTag that the traveler had placed in her bag, which police used to identify its location in Mary Esther, Florida, via the Find My app per a press release issued by the department.
"This arrest is an example of excellent teamwork by our Airport Security Unit, our Investigators and the Airport to find the person responsible for these thefts and make sure he is held responsible," Sheriff Eric Aden said in a statement on Facebook on Aug.11.
The defendant, an airline subcontractor working at VPS at the time of the incidents, allegedly removed an AirTag when rummaging through the victim's suitcase. The AirTag reportedly showed the location where the suitcase had last been seen, which led authorities to its retrieval. A second victim also claimed they lost a suitcase that never arrived to the airport in July, containing more than $1,600 worth of items, but police said those belongings had not yet been recovered.
TPG reached out to the police department for additional comments but hadn't heard back by press time.
AirTags have made headlines this year, helping travelers deal with mounting baggage issues at European airports amidst a summer of flight delays and cancelations, further increasing the likelihood of losing checked luggage.
AirTags have exploded in popularity, in part no doubt, because of all the lost luggage issues.
These handy devices are slightly larger than a quarter and easily fit into a suitcase, allowing travelers to passively keep track of their luggage by slipping one into a pocket in their suitcase or attaching the device as a bag tag.
If your bag gets lost or delayed in transit, you can use Bluetooth to track your suitcase via nearby Apple devices, specifically compatible iPhones or iPads.
You can use the Find My app to track your suitcase via nearby Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads (Airtags connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device on the iOS platform.) If an item is marked "lost," the device will ping and notify you of the location when discovered without transmitting personal data in the process.
Currently, AirTags are available online for purchase. They generally cost less than $100 for a four-pack or around a quarter of that for a single AirTag.
Read our guide for everything you need to know about using AirTags.
For even more, read on:
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees