A quiet Canberra apartment has become the centre of an unexpected investigation, after a surprising discovery hinted at something much bigger hiding in plain sight.

All it took was a clever bit of tech—and one determined individual unwilling to let go—to set the wheels in motion.

It all started when a local e-bike owner noticed their beloved ride had disappeared. But this wasn’t just any bike—it was fitted with an Apple AirTag, a small tracking device that’s become a secret weapon for Aussies looking to outsmart thieves.

With a few taps on their phone, the owner could see exactly where their bike had gone. Instead of playing detective themselves (which police strongly advise against), they handed the info straight to the authorities.

After receiving the information, police attended a serviced apartment in Canberra's CBD.

They secured a search warrant and carried out a raid, allegedly uncovering 15 bikes and e-bikes, along with five e-scooters, together estimated to be worth around $50,000.

A Canberra man was arrested after police found 15 bikes and e-bikes and five e-scooters, worth an estimated $50,000, in his serviced apartment, thanks to an Apple AirTag used by the theft victim to trace his stolen bike. Image source: ACT Policing / Facebook.

A 25-year-old man, already out on bail for other alleged offences, is set to face charges for possessing stolen property when he appears in court later this month.

An ACT Police spokesperson told Yahoo News that because 'many bikes are now worth thousands of dollars', they’ve become an increasingly appealing target for thieves.

'Where tracking devices are used, police do not recommend confronting an apparent offender. Seek assistance from police in an effort to resolve the issue safely,' the spokesperson added.

ACT Policing is urging locals to register their bikes and e-bikes through BikeLinc — a free platform where owners can list their bikes and contact details.

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'Police use BikeLinc to identify owners when bikes are recovered, and second-hand bike buyers can also check to make sure the bike they are buying hasn’t been reported stolen,' police said in a statement on Thursday.

Aussies turning to Apple AirTags to protect expensive items​

The Canberra incident joins a growing list of cases where stolen goods have been recovered thanks to tracking technology like Apple AirTags.

In one instance last October, Melbourne resident Harvey Miller discovered his trailer missing from its usual spot. But because he had attached an AirTag for just such a scenario, he quickly located it and, along with some friends, set out on a suburban retrieval 'mission', he told Yahoo News.

He spotted the trailer behind a fence on the property of the alleged thief and alerted police, who then took action to retrieve it.

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Similarly, in March last year, a plant owner in Adelaide 'decided to go all in' after her prized potted plants were repeatedly stolen from outside her home.

Although police initially said there was little evidence to go on, the woman planted an AirTag in the soil of a third pot. When that too was taken, she tracked it and was ultimately able to identify the person responsible.

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Key Takeaways

• A Canberra man was arrested after police found 15 bikes and e-bikes and five e-scooters, worth an estimated $50,000, in his serviced apartment, thanks to an Apple AirTag used by the theft victim to trace his stolen bike.
• Police are warning that as bikes and e-bikes become more valuable, they're increasingly being targeted by thieves, and recommend people use tracking devices but avoid direct confrontation—always contact police for assistance.
• ACT residents are being encouraged to register their bikes and e-bikes on BikeLinc, a free service that helps police return recovered stolen bikes to their rightful owners and assists buyers in checking if a bike has been reported stolen.
• The use of tracking devices like Apple AirTag is on the rise across Australia, with several recent theft victims successfully recovering stolen property by using trackers and working together with local police.

Have you ever used a tracking device to recover something stolen? Or do you have tips for keeping your valuables safe? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!

 

[Veggiepatch]

'Where tracking devices are used, police do not recommend confronting an apparent offender. Seek assistance from police in an effort to resolve the issue safely,' the spokesperson added.
Yeah sure!

After reporting a critical life threatening incident in Melbourne three years ago, it took the coppers only 26 hours to respond.

It appears that a barking Chihuahua is of the highest priority but human lives don't matter.

 

[novezar]

A very smart move by the Canberra e-bike owner which eventually caught one real thieving arsehole & the recovery of all the other stolen items he had stashed.

I "Luv" the "Pot Plant" ladies story. It raises a "?", Did the pot plant thief get "Planted" ?
It'd be interesting to know how the outcome "Grew" & then get "Pruned".