Electronic trackers score assist in recovering stolen tools, and lead to drug bust

CBC
·1 min read
Air tags are just one way of protecting property, says P.E.I. RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore. (CBC - image credit)
Air tags are just one way of protecting property, says P.E.I. RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore. (CBC - image credit)

P.E.I. police found more than just stolen tools when they served a search warrant at a home in Summerside on Monday, the RCMP say.

About $2,000 worth of tools were reported stolen from a construction site in Miscouche on April 16, the RCMP said in a news release.

The owner was able to help police find them because some of the tools were marked with electronic location trackers. Once their location was determined, police got a search warrant for the property.

Police arrested a 50-year-old Summerside man.

An apple airtag is seen on a white surface.
An apple airtag is seen on a white surface.

Electronic trackers like Apple's AirTags allow the owner to find the small devices' location through a smartphone app. (Bryce Hoye/CBC)

Location trackers, like Apple's AirTags, allow the owners to track the small devices through a smartphone app. They're often placed on key chains, in bags or in vehicles.

"This is the first case that I'm aware of where we've been able to recover property through the use of AirTags," said P.E.I. RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore.

"Certainly in this case it's proved its value."

Moore cautioned that while clearly useful, electronic location trackers can be found and removed. He also encouraged marking tools, making sure tools are securely stored, and using security cameras.

The investigation by Prince District Joint Forces Operations, a partnership between the RCMP and Summerside police, is ongoing.