Armed Thieves Use Apple AirTag to Track and Hold Florida Couple at Gunpoint in Home Invasion
Armed Home Invasion in Florida: Thieves Use Apple AirTag to Track Victims
Odessa, FL — In a chilling incident that has left the community shaken, authorities have released footage of a home invasion in Odessa, Florida, where armed thieves tracked a couple to their home using an Apple AirTag. The shocking event occurred on August 19, and the suspects, identified as Luis Charles, 26, and Odardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32, have since been apprehended.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the couple was ambushed as they exited their SUV in their driveway. The suspects, armed and dangerous, forced the victims into their garage at gunpoint. The terrifying ordeal was cut short when an alarm was triggered, prompting the thieves to flee the scene.
In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office detailed the investigation, revealing that detectives discovered an AirTag taped beneath the couple’s vehicle, which had been used to track their movements back to their home. “To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family’s worst nightmare,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong, and the victims, along with our community, can rest a little easier.”
The released footage shows the couple exiting their vehicle when the suspects approached from both sides. After forcing them inside, the alarm system activated, leading to the suspects’ hasty retreat.
Charles was arrested on October 8 in Tampa during a traffic stop, where he was also charged with sexual battery involving a minor. Maldonado-Rodriguez was apprehended shortly after on October 10 in Pasco County. Both men face serious charges, including armed burglary, armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment, and illegal installation of a tracking device.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the unsettling reality that technology can be used for such nefarious purposes. The sheriff’s office urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in everyday life, even in the comfort of one’s home.