Odessa, FL — Two men have been arrested after authorities discovered an Apple AirTag tracking device taped underneath a vehicle belonging to two Florida residents who were ambushed at gunpoint in a terrifying home invasion. The attempted robbery, caught on video, took place on August 19 in Odessa, about 25 miles northwest of Tampa.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects — identified as Luis Charles, 26, and Omardy Maldonado-Rodriguez, 32 — face multiple felony charges including armed burglary and armed kidnapping.
Caught on Camera: Ambush at Gunpoint
In surveillance footage released by authorities, the two victims can be seen pulling into their driveway in an SUV when the suspects suddenly approach, grab them, pull them out of their seats, and attempt to force them into the garage.
“To be ambushed at gunpoint in the very place you should feel safest is every family’s worst nightmare,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a press release. “Thanks to the work of our detectives, these dangerous criminals are now behind bars where they belong.”
The sheriff’s office described the incident as a “terrifying home invasion.” The suspects fled the scene after a security alarm was triggered, preventing the robbery from escalating further.
Authorities later located an Apple AirTag taped under the victims’ car, suggesting the suspects had been tracking the vehicle prior to the ambush.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Detectives traced the suspects using surveillance and vehicle data. In bodycam footage released by police, deputies are seen arresting one of the suspects on October 8.
“When the man confirmed his name, the deputy immediately took him into custody,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to USA TODAY, Charles was arrested on October 8, and Maldonado-Rodriguez was taken into custody two days later on October 10. Both remain behind bars as of October 17, according to jail records.
Each suspect has been assigned a public defender, though representatives for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit have not commented publicly on the case.
Apple AirTag Misuse Raises Safety Concerns
Authorities said the AirTag discovery highlights growing concerns about tracking technology being used for criminal purposes.
Apple’s AirTags were designed to help users find lost items like keys or bags using the Find My app. However, law enforcement agencies nationwide have reported incidents in which stalkers or criminals misuse the devices to track victims without consent.
“Apple markets its AirTags as ‘a supereasy way to keep track of your stuff,’ but this case demonstrates how easily they can be exploited,” officials noted.
In recent years, AirTags have been linked to several high-profile criminal cases. In 2022, two women filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, claiming the devices are “unreasonably dangerous” and enable stalking. In another case, a woman in Indiana used an AirTag to track her boyfriend before killing him with her car. She was later sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Community Relief and Continued Vigilance
Sheriff Chronister commended investigators for quickly identifying and apprehending the suspects, noting that their arrests bring relief to both the victims and the local community.
Authorities are now urging residents to regularly inspect their vehicles for unknown devices and report suspicious activity.
“Our community can rest a little easier knowing these criminals are in custody,” said Sheriff Chronister.
Charles and Maldonado-Rodriguez remain in custody pending trial as detectives continue gathering evidence in the case.
What are your thoughts on the misuse of tracking devices like AirTags and how they can impact public safety? Share your views in the comments below.
