Apple strongly suggests that AirTag users call in the cops when they track down the location of their stolen property. Confronting a thief without law enforcement present can result in some serious harm to the victim. Having said that, we can tell you about a situation where the victim of a car theft was able to get his vehicle back by confronting the criminal after tracking the car using an AirTag and the Find My app. Even though he called the cops, they weren’t present when he sent the car thief running away without anyone getting hurt.
Even though he notified the police, Obando and his wife decided to get in their other car and track his BMW using the Find My app. Philip and his wife were surprised to spot the car at a local gas station where the thief was filling up the tank. With his wife urging him on, Obando confronted the criminal and told him that he owned the car and to prove it, he used the duplicate key fob that he had to remotely sound the car’s horn.
Perhaps this is where Philip lucked out. Instead of pulling a weapon on him, the car thief just ran away allowing Philip to take back his vehicle without having to put up a fight. And afterward, Obando discovered that the thief had left several knives inside the vehicle. The incident could easily have gone a different way which is why you should leave it up to the cops to get back your stolen property even if you know where it is.
The crook also made a major faux pas by leaving his wallet in the car which held his driver’s license. This helped the cops quickly ID the suspect who happened to be a neighbor of Obando and his wife.