A morning theft at a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Lakkasandra Extension was solved within 11 hours after victims used the inbuilt tracking feature of an Apple AirPod to help police trace and arrest the accused, highlighting the growing role of technology in crime detection.
Theft caught on CCTV
The theft occurred around 7.40 am on Friday at SM Gents PG. Police identified the accused as Raghava (24), a resident of Ram Nagar near Hosur. He allegedly entered the PG through an open door and stole a laptop, two mobile phones, a dongle, headphones, debit and credit cards, and an Apple AirPod from a second-floor room.
The room was shared by Chandrashekar Reddy K (32), a finance manager, Bharath K (28), a private firm employee, and Bethu Nagamanikanta (29), a chartered accountant. CCTV footage showed the accused climbing to the second floor and completing the theft within three minutes while one occupant was asleep.
AirPod alerts lead police to Hosur
The incident came to light when Bharath woke up and noticed the missing items. Initially suspecting an insider, the residents reviewed CCTV footage with the PG owner and realised the suspect was an outsider.
Crucially, Reddy had taken one AirPod with him to the gym, while the other remained in the room. Using the live tracking feature, he noticed the stolen earbud moving along Hosur Road and alerted Adugodi police. Based on real-time location updates, a special team followed the trail and narrowed it down to Ram Nagar by afternoon.
Local enquiries, supported by CCTV images, led police to a building where Raghava was identified as a tenant. Alerts confirmed the earbud was still inside the premises. Police detained him later that evening and recovered the stolen items.
Brother suspected as mastermind
During interrogation, Raghava allegedly told police that his elder brother, Ramesh, who runs a photocopy shop, trained him to commit thefts and helped dispose of stolen valuables. Police also recovered additional laptops and phones stolen in other cases, including one reported in Madiwala a week earlier.
Investigators believe more individuals may be involved and are continuing their probe.
Police said the case underlines how prompt use of personal technology, combined with swift police coordination, can significantly improve crime detection and recovery.