In a remarkable turn of events, a pair of AirPods became the key to recovering a stolen Ferrari valued at $575,000 (around ₹4.81 crore) in Waterbury, Connecticut. The luxury car, reported missing from Greenwich on September 16, was tracked down by authorities thanks to the AirPods left inside the vehicle by its owner.
How the AirPods Led Police to the Car
The Waterbury Auto Theft Task Force used the AirPods‘ tracking feature to locate the stolen Ferrari at a gas station on South Main Street. Officers from the Waterbury Police Department immediately identified the car and attempted to stop it, but the driver fled the scene, sparking a high-stakes chase.
Suspects Arrested
Using the AirPods’ location data, police identified the driver as 22-year-old Dion Schontten. Upon further investigation, Schontten was found in possession of a 2023 Acura, also reported stolen from New York. Schontten, along with another suspect, 19-year-old Keon Webster, was arrested. Both had been taking turns driving the stolen Ferrari, according to police reports.
Schontten faced motor vehicle theft charges, while Webster was charged with his seventh offense related to auto theft. Schontten’s bond was initially set at $300,000 but later reduced to $150,000 after his court appearance. Webster, with an extensive criminal history, had his bond reduced from $1,000,000 to $300,000.
A History of Crime
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo commented on Webster’s criminal past, stating, “Keon Webster is somebody we are very, very familiar with. As an adult, he has seven pending charges related to auto theft and other violent crimes.” Authorities are now investigating the possibility of the duo’s involvement in other vehicle thefts.
Community Relief and Police Advice
Residents in the area expressed relief after the arrests. One local, Robert Stanziano, shared his concerns, stating, “I drive something I don’t think anybody wants to steal, hopefully. But I worry for other people.”
Chief Spagnolo reminded the public to take precautions with their vehicles, saying, “We just don’t live in that day and age anymore where we can leave our cars running to warm up or run into the store. Take care of your property. Just be mindful that if you don’t, somebody else will.”
The Waterbury Police Department continues to investigate motor vehicle thefts and remains committed to holding repeat offenders accountable. The arrests of Schontten and Webster are seen as a significant step toward reducing car thefts in the community.