CHRISTIANSTED — Virgin Islands police successfully tracked and arrested two car theft suspects using an unusual but effective tool—AirPods.
The suspects had stolen a Kia Sportage from a St. Croix apartment complex, unaware that a pair of AirPods left inside the vehicle would lead police directly to them.
Deshawn Henley, 20, and Dixon Martin, 20, were each arrested and charged Saturday with unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to the VIPD.
VIPD mug shot of Deshawn Henley in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The case began about 10:43 p.m. when Christiansted Patrol Bureau officers were dispatched to Ocean Terrace Apartments in Golden Rock in connection to an unauthorized use of a vehicle incident, police said.
The responding officers contacted the complainant who stated that her gold Kia Sportage, was stolen outside of the Ocean View Terrace Apartments gate, according to police.
The complainant’s AirPods were left inside the vehicle, which resulted in her tracking the AirPods in the vicinity of Scenic Road on St. Croix, police said.
VIPD mug shot of Dixon Martin, 20, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
An All-Point Bulletins (APB) was placed on the vehicle via the 911 Emergency Call Center and officers passing along Salt River Road were immediately able to sight the complainant’s vehicle, according to police.
The officers conducted a traffic stop of the Kia Sportage and the occupants were given verbal commands to exit the stolen vehicle, police said.
Two males exited the vehicle, later identified as Deshawn Henley, who was the operator and the passenger, Dixon Martin, of St. Croix, according to police.
Both suspects were advised that they were being placed under arrest for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Deshawn Henley and Dixon Martin were charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Their bail was set at $25,000.00 each.
They were transported to the Police Operations Administrative Building, where they were booked, processed and then transported to John A. Bell Correctional Facility pending their advice of rights hearing.
AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds designed and manufactured by Apple. They offer a convenient, streamlined way to listen to music, podcasts, and make calls while on the go. AirPods are a popular accessory within the Apple ecosystem.
