Homeowner’s ingenious use of Apple Airtags tech praised after her pot plants were repeatedly stolen until she tracked the thief down
A couple whose veranda was hit by repeated plant thefts and who received little help from police have been praised online after taking matters into their own hands through the ingenious use of technology.
The alleged thief started removing potted philodendrons at night earlier this year, but police were unable to do anything because there was not enough evidence.
So the Adelaide man and woman decided to use high-tech equipment – security cameras and tracking devices – to track down the perpetrator.
‘I decided to go all in. I bought a pack of Apple Airtags and planted them on the most beautiful plants I have left,” the plant owners posted on Reddit.
‘It was quiet for a month and a half and then she came again two days ago at 11pm.’
A couple whose porch was hit by repeated plant thefts and who received little help from police took matters into their own hands with an ingenious use of technology. The photo shows the alleged thief
After the last alleged theft, the Airtag tracker allowed the owner to find out where he had been taken.
After they left the house, the white car seen on the security camera footage confirmed that they had found the correct address and who the perpetrator was.
“I immediately provided the address and license plate number and filed my case with the police,” they said.
Then on Wednesday, after months of plant thefts, the owner claimed that a “patrol team of three officers” told them they were “going to pick up the plants.”
“They went to the house but no one answered the door, so they checked the backyard and found those plants,” they claimed.
‘The (alleged) thieves repotted two plants, but the patrols were still able to recognize them.
‘After approval, two more officers took action and returned the plants to me.’
A police spokesperson said officers were ‘alarmed that, after a resident had several potted plants stolen from the front of their home in recent weeks, the victim had placed an Airtag in a new potted plant, which had also been stolen.
‘Police found the plants at an address in Blair Athol yesterday, Wednesday March 27, and were able to return them to the owner.
“Investigations are continuing,” the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
The couple’s successful private investigations have been praised by commentators posting about the case.
“You are an absolute legend,” said one.
The alleged thief is shown sprinting away from the scene of another plant theft
“I would like to hear the final outcome if the thieves get their comeuppance in court,” wrote another.
‘There is so much injustice being committed by people today that (we) can’t do anything about – it’s so satisfying to hear when a good outcome finally comes.
“I compliment you on your perseverance and hard work.”
Others kept their praise simple and to the point, with one writing: ‘Well done you.’ That’s great detective work.’