Winnipeg police recovered a stolen pickup Tuesday night using an unusual clue: a pair of AirPods left inside the vehicle. The 2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew was reported stolen around 9 p.m. near Portage and Roseberry after the owner left it idling and unattended. The owner told police the AirPods were still inside the truck, and their location-tracking signal offered investigators a way to follow the vehicle in real time.
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How Police Tracked the Signal
Within about 30 minutes, West District officers, supported by the Air1 helicopter unit and a police drone team, zeroed in on the AirPods’ signal, which led them to a parking lot on William Avenue where the truck was located.
Two People Detained
As officers arrived, a drone operator spotted a man and a woman near the vehicle. Both were detained for questioning. Police say the 41-year-old man was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and released with a scheduled court date, while the 39-year-old woman was released without charges.
An Unexpected Assist From Everyday Tech
The recovery highlights how personal devices left behind in a vehicle can sometimes aid investigations in ways owners never anticipated. In this case, the AirPods’ location signal, combined with aerial and ground support, allowed officers to locate the stolen truck quickly and with precision.