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.
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:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.