AirTag led detectives to wrong house first in search for stolen political campaign signs
Tony and Kylie said detectives were at their home searching for a few hours while they had the owner of the AirTag show up to see if he could track a more accurate location. That location ended up being next door to the Magnus house where detectives spotted the signs through a window.
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- AirTag
- Stolen signs
- Charlevoix County
- Antrim County
- Detectives
- Political campaign
- Search warrant
- Theft
CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — Detectives using an Apple AirTag to search for 72 stolen political campaign signs initially searched the wrong house.
The 72 political campaign signs stolen from Antrim County were found in Charlevoix County Tuesday.
A 27-year-old Charlevoix man was the one arrested for allegedly stealing the signs. He faces larceny charges and charges of concealing stolen property.
- Apple AirTag Placed in Campaign Sign:Police find 72 stolen campaign signs at home in Charlevoix County
Tony and Kylie Magnus reached out to UpNorthLive to explain before the signs were found at their neighbor’s house, detectives were at their door questioning them about the stolen signs.
When there are police swarming your house a lot of the day, it causes some attention.
Tony and Kylie Magnus reached out to UpNorthLive to explain before the signs were found at their neighbor’s house, detectives were at their door questioning them about the stolen signs.
Tony said he was working from home and on a call when detectives from both Charlevoix and Antrim County Sheriff Offices knocked on his door. The interaction was captured on the Magnus’ Ring camera. They asked Tony if he knew anything about the theft of political signs.
Tony said he was working from home and on a call when detectives from both Charlevoix and Antrim County Sheriff Offices knocked on his door.
“And of course I said, no,” recalled Tony. “Then he (the detective) proceeded to tell me that they had a tracker that was showing that actually they were here at this house.”
While detectives began a search for the signs, Kylie was still upstairs.
“She was upstairs sort of getting dressed, she was moving around, and that sort of piqued their interest,” said Tony. “So, they said, ‘Well, she seems to be moving around a lot’ I said, ‘Well, she’s getting dressed’ and then one of the officers said, ‘Well, when I get dressed, I usually just stand still.'”
“Kind of insinuated that I was upstairs hiding evidence,” said Kylie. “Saying things like, ‘Well, why are you allegedly getting dressed upstairs?’ and things like that. I was more shocked and confused.”
Tony and Kylie said detectives insisted the stolen signs had to be in the Magnus home because the Apple AirTag they were tracking said it was there.
Tony and Kylie said detectives were at their home searching for a few hours while they had the owner of the AirTag show up to see if he could track a more accurate location. That location ended up being next door to the Magnus house where detectives spotted the signs through a window.
“They went upstairs, they went through everything,” recalled Kylie. “I could hear them opening my drawers. I don’t know if you’ve ever had anybody look through all your personal belongings. It’s highly invasive. It’s awful.”
“Somebody had a trail cam or something on some signs being stolen,” said Tony. “They said, ‘Do you know this person?’ and it clearly wasn’t me or Kylie. I mean, you could clearly see it wasn’t either of us, and it had footage of their car. It clearly wasn’t our car either.”
Tony and Kylie said detectives were at their home searching for a few hours while they had the owner of the AirTag show up to see if he could track a more accurate location. That location ended up being next door to the Magnus house where detectives spotted the signs through a window.
“They kind of came to the back door, but they didn’t say what I was expecting,” said Kylie. “I expected that, ‘We’re so sorry. We completely got this wrong, but never fear, we’ve made an arrest, and thank you for your cooperation,’ Nothing like that.”
Tony and Kylie said they don’t want the same thing happening to something else.
“This has been a big issue in the community, and I understand I wouldn’t want people doing that on my property. Everybody knows what’s wrong and what’s right. Nobody should be stealing signs. Nobody should be trespassing. Nobody should be damaging anything. I understand all of that,” said Kylie. “But it’s just frightening how we found ourselves in that situation because of that technology.”
Tony and Kylie said they’re concerned the AirTag was considered a probable enough cause to issue a warrant for their property.
Is that enough for a warrant these days? Apparently, it is.
UpNorthLive brought Tony and Kylie’s concerns to the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office Friday. The Undersheriff shared this statement:
“Our detectives were acting, in good faith, on the evidence they had. As it turns out the stolen property was located in the building right next door about 20 to 30 feet away. The search of the first home was not contentious and done in a respectful considerate manner. We regret for interrupting the first home owners day.”
Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Kit Tholen said a search warrant was drafted for the house next door to the Magnus home by the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office.
The search warrant was drafted after the AirTag was tracked more accurately to the house next door where the stolen signs could be seen through a window.
AirTag leads police to stolen goods and suspect in Salt Lake County
by: Ava Hart
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A man in Utah has been placed in custody after reportedly stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of personal belongings in Salt Lake County.
Michael Anthony Morales, 42, has been arrested for three counts of theft, theft of a firearm, theft of a vehicle, and pattern of unlawful activity.
Kia Sportage theft
According to court documents, on Jan. 13, the Salt Lake City Police Department received two reports of stolen property. The first complainant stated that his 2018 Gray Kia Sportage was broken into while parked in a parking lot in Salt Lake City. He told police that his front passenger window was broken and his camera equipment, computer, and AirTag were stolen.How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google
On Jan. 14, the complainant used his AirTag tracker to locate his belongings near 4100 South and 4000 West in West Valley City. When he arrived at the address, he found a 2019 black GMC Arcadia. He activated the AirTag’s sound feature and heard it coming from the vehicle.
A search warrant was served on the GMC. During the search, law enforcement discovered a stolen firearm, stolen personal documents, the first complainant’s stolen equipment, and drugs.
Toyota 4Runner robbery
Law enforcement also noticed a 2014 Gray Toyota Sienna parked next to the GMC. Court documents state that it belonged to the same possible owner of the GMC: Morales. An electronic search warrant was granted for the Toyota.
Detectives used GPS tracking and found that on the morning of Jan. 15, the Toyota Sienna was near 3200 East and 6200 South in Holladay. A records check in the area showed that a third complainant reported to the Unified Police Department that his 2016 Silver Toyota 4Runner had been stolen from the Hampton Inn at 3210 East Millrock Road.
The Toyota 4Runner was found parked in front of the Toyota Sienna in Salt Lake City.
Toyota Tacoma break in
Another complainant stated that her 2019 Toyota Tacoma was broken into while parked in Salt Lake City. She said that her back window was smashed and work bag with personal items was stolen.
Detectives continued monitoring all vehicles and found the address that Morales was staying at. Law enforcement detained Morales and the two others who lived the apartment.Charging documents reveal new details about LDS church shooting after man charged with obstruction of justice
Inside of the apartment, detectives located the keys to the stolen 4Runner, the first complainant’s stolen cameras and equipment, the second complainant’s Pandora heart Jewel, and several other items that were stolen from other burglaries in Salt Lake County over the past several weeks.
During an interview with detectives, Morales admitted that he traded the work bag belonging to the owner of the Toyota Tacoma for drugs.
Morales has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail where he is being held without bail.
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