Accused porch pirate charged after Air Tag helps track stolen packages
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A suspected porch pirate has been charged after an Apple Air Tag planted by a victim helped law enforcement officials track down hundreds of dollars in stolen packages.
Clay County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, have revealed that Alexander M. Ayala, 29, of Kansas City, Kansas, has been charged with stealing packages off a metro area porch.
A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City Police Department indicated that on July 31, law enforcement officials were called to a home near N. Shoal Creek Valley Dr. and N. Lewis Ave., by the Shoal Creek Golf Course, with reports of a theft.
When first responders arrived, the victim reported that on July 1, her Ring doorbell captured an individual as they stole multiple packages.
The victim told investigators that after the first incident, she placed an Apple Air Tag inside a package and placed it on her porch. On July 31, the suspect, later identified as Ayala, came back and took that package too.
Law enforcement officials noted that the Air Tag was tracked to three addresses owned by Ayala on the Kansas side of the border. During the investigation, a second victim reported that on July 20, someone had stolen multiple packages delivered to her front porch a few blocks away near NE 91st Terr. and N. Kentucky Ave.
The victim reported that this incident was also recorded.
Investigators indicated that Ayala was found to be the suspect in both instances. He was also found to be on probation for a previous conviction. When his probation officer brought him in on Aug. 14, he was taken into custody.
In total, detectives reported that the stolen packages cost around $1,450. Ayala was charged with two counts of stealing. If convicted, he could spend up to 8 years behind bars and be forced to pay a $30,000 fine.
A criminal summons was issued to Ayala on Tuesday, with an initial appearance expected at 9:05 a.m. on March 4. No further information has been released.
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