AirPods, Tesla video help Forsyth Co. deputies track down stolen car
Donald Murray. Courtesy of Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. - A pair of AirPods and video captured by a nearby Tesla helped Forsyth County deputies quickly track down a man accused of stealing an idling car from outside a school.
What we know:
According to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, witnesses saw a man walk up to the running vehicle outside a Primrose School on Monday, Aug. 17, get inside and drive away.
The vehicle's owner had stopped on her way to work and gone inside for about 30 seconds to drop off her child, leaving the engine running.
AirPods lead deputies to stolen car
How they found it:
The woman had left her AirPods inside the vehicle, allowing law enforcement to track their location.
Deputies followed the signal to the entrance of a local subdivision, where they found the stolen vehicle abandoned.
Investigators said the suspect continued on foot, dropping various items along the way before attempting to hitchhike.
Tesla video helps identify suspect
The alleged car thief had another problem: A nearby Tesla had captured clear video of him during the theft, according to the sheriff's office.
Members of the agency's warrant unit searching the area recognized the man from the video and took him into custody.
What we don't know:
The suspect has been identified as Donald Murray. According to an incident report, Murray told police that someone had told him he could "borrow" the vehicle and he planned to drive it to Gainesville. Murray claimed he asked a "female" for permission and she said yes. However, police reviewed the available video and did not see any women near Murray and the vehicle when it was taken.
The stolen vehicle was returned to its owner.