How Apple's AirTags saved this carpenter from going totally 'tool-less'

A carpenter from Virginia took matters into his own hands after falling victim to tool theft not once but twice.

Frustrated by the repeated break-ins, the 43-year-old carpenter strategically placed Apple AirTags on his remaining larger tools to track them in case the thieves struck again — and they did.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the unnamed carpenter's decision to use AirTags proved fruitful as, with the assistance of law enforcement, he successfully located his stolen tools in a storage unit in Howard County in January.

However, the discovery didn't end there.

The tracking led to the recovery of an additional 15,000 tools that had been stolen from various local businesses, vehicles, residences, and other carpenters by a group of thieves.

The recovered items, which included an assortment of tools such as saws, drills, sanders, grinders, generators, batteries, air compressors and other portable construction equipment.

They were found in 12 different locations, mostly in Howard County but also in Virginia, with an estimated worth of between three and five million, according to police.

Although police are investigating several suspects, no one has yet been arrested.

"One of the largest theft cases not only in Howard County but in this region," Police Chief Gregory Der told reporters recently, at a county warehouse.

"The scope of the investigation is enormous and ongoing," the chief said.

The detectives have identified about 80 victims so far.