AirTag Leads to Suspect in Camera Gear Theft: an Officer

A New Jersey police sergeant is facing a felony theft charge after investigators say an Apple AirTag led them straight to his home. Sgt. Darryl Brown, 43, of Sparta Township, is accused of taking about $10,000 in camera gear that an AP photographer left behind after being injured while covering an immigration protest outside Newark's Delaney Hall on May 30, according to the state attorney general. USA Today reports that prosecutors say the photojournalist, identified by the AP as Angelina Katsanis, was taken to a hospital after being struck in the knee, leaving a bag of equipment at the scene.

Tracking data from an AirTag attached to one item reportedly pointed to Brown's residence, where investigators later served a search warrant and said they recovered several pieces of gear still bearing Katsanis' name and phone number. The complaint says bodycam footage shows Brown handling a bag matching the description of the missing equipment. He was on duty at the immigration detention center, per Montclair Local. Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the case signals that "absolutely no one is above the law." Brown, now suspended without pay, faces three to five years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine if convicted.