Caught Red-Handed? Find Out How AirTags Tracked a Politician's Alleged Theft Right to Their Doorstep
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In a twist that sounds like it's straight out of a political thriller, a local council candidate in Victoria has found himself at the centre of a peculiar case involving disappearing election posters and the clever use of modern tracking technology. The City of Casey's council campaign drama unfolded when candidate Gurpreet Gill noticed a startling number of his election posters—up to 80—had mysteriously vanished.
In a move that would make any tech-savvy sleuth proud, Gill ingeniously decided to outsmart the suspected saboteur by secretly embedding Apple AirTags into his remaining posters. These tiny devices are designed to help people keep track of their personal belongings, but in this case, they were about to reveal much more than the whereabouts of misplaced items.
The plot thickened when two of the AirTag-equipped signs were stolen, leading Gill straight to a residential area in Clyde North. It was no ordinary neighbourhood for this case; it was where Jaz Masuta, a rival candidate running in the Dillwynia ward against Gill, resided. The digital breadcrumbs from the AirTags seemed to implicate Masuta in the alleged theft, as the signs were tracked right outside his home.
Adding to the intrigue, security camera footage from the scene of the crime showed an individual stuffing one of the signs into the boot of a Mazda. This vehicle would become a key piece of evidence, as it was later seen on surveillance footage leaving Masuta's home around the same time the AirTags indicated the stolen signs were on the move.
The signs' journey didn't end at Masuta's street; they were later found dumped in a field. Coincidentally, Masuta's silver Mazda was also captured on camera near the intersection close to where the signs were abandoned, with the AirTags pinging in the vicinity at the same time.
When confronted with the allegations and shown stills from the CCTV footage, Masuta's response was one of staunch denial. 'Impossible,' he declared, distancing himself from the vehicle in question and asserting that he spends his nights with his children, not pilfering political posters. He vehemently denied any involvement in the theft of election signs and suggested that the whole situation could be a '100 per cent coincidence.'
Despite the mounting evidence, Masuta maintained his innocence, suggesting that someone was attempting to defame him. He emphasised that stealing signs was not in his character and that he had never instructed anyone to remove a rival's poster.
Gill, on the other hand, remained undeterred by the poster pilfering. Rather than feeling defeated, he claimed the incident had given him 'more energy to work harder,' turning a moment of disappointment into motivation.
In a curious turn of events, just hours before a report by A Current Affair was set to air, the program provided Masuta with additional security camera footage of the vehicle involved in the theft, which bore a striking resemblance to his Mazda. Masuta did not respond to the new evidence but instead took to social media to caution his followers against believing 'false information'.
Watch the full story here:
Source: A Current Affair/YouTube
The case has caught the attention of Victoria Police, who have confirmed that the thefts are under investigation. As the community awaits the outcome, this saga serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways in which technology can intersect with local politics, potentially exposing unsavoury tactics and casting a shadow over the democratic process.
Members of the Seniors Discount Club, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this high-tech tale of campaign intrigue. Have you ever used tracking devices like AirTags to keep tabs on your belongings? Do you think they could change the way we address theft and personal security? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!
In a move that would make any tech-savvy sleuth proud, Gill ingeniously decided to outsmart the suspected saboteur by secretly embedding Apple AirTags into his remaining posters. These tiny devices are designed to help people keep track of their personal belongings, but in this case, they were about to reveal much more than the whereabouts of misplaced items.
The plot thickened when two of the AirTag-equipped signs were stolen, leading Gill straight to a residential area in Clyde North. It was no ordinary neighbourhood for this case; it was where Jaz Masuta, a rival candidate running in the Dillwynia ward against Gill, resided. The digital breadcrumbs from the AirTags seemed to implicate Masuta in the alleged theft, as the signs were tracked right outside his home.
Two candidates from the City of Casey got into a heated battle over lost campaign materials. Image Credit: YouTube/A Current Affair
Adding to the intrigue, security camera footage from the scene of the crime showed an individual stuffing one of the signs into the boot of a Mazda. This vehicle would become a key piece of evidence, as it was later seen on surveillance footage leaving Masuta's home around the same time the AirTags indicated the stolen signs were on the move.
The signs' journey didn't end at Masuta's street; they were later found dumped in a field. Coincidentally, Masuta's silver Mazda was also captured on camera near the intersection close to where the signs were abandoned, with the AirTags pinging in the vicinity at the same time.
When confronted with the allegations and shown stills from the CCTV footage, Masuta's response was one of staunch denial. 'Impossible,' he declared, distancing himself from the vehicle in question and asserting that he spends his nights with his children, not pilfering political posters. He vehemently denied any involvement in the theft of election signs and suggested that the whole situation could be a '100 per cent coincidence.'
Despite the mounting evidence, Masuta maintained his innocence, suggesting that someone was attempting to defame him. He emphasised that stealing signs was not in his character and that he had never instructed anyone to remove a rival's poster.
Gill, on the other hand, remained undeterred by the poster pilfering. Rather than feeling defeated, he claimed the incident had given him 'more energy to work harder,' turning a moment of disappointment into motivation.
In a curious turn of events, just hours before a report by A Current Affair was set to air, the program provided Masuta with additional security camera footage of the vehicle involved in the theft, which bore a striking resemblance to his Mazda. Masuta did not respond to the new evidence but instead took to social media to caution his followers against believing 'false information'.
Watch the full story here:
Source: A Current Affair/YouTube
The case has caught the attention of Victoria Police, who have confirmed that the thefts are under investigation. As the community awaits the outcome, this saga serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways in which technology can intersect with local politics, potentially exposing unsavoury tactics and casting a shadow over the democratic process.
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