AirTag helps UK builder get back his “pride and joy” just an hour after the accident

Another day, another chance for AirTag to shine! This time, Apple's tracker helped a builder in Leeds, England regain his “pride and joy.”

The story is about Paul Conway and his pet peeve – a Nissan Pathfinder (via AppleInsider).

One of Paul's employees was driving the car last week. He had to go into a house – just for a second – so he left the car running and thought everything would be fine. When he left the house, he found no sign of the Nissan and called his boss, who was devastated to learn of the theft.

Recounting the moment, Conway expressed his initial shock and dismay, saying: “I started shaking, I couldn't believe it because the car is my pride and joy.” The realization that he had equipped his vehicle with an AirTag provided a glimmer of hope.

Luckily, Paul's wife had a 2022 solution to this 2024 problem: two years ago, she gave him a four-pack of AirTags. One of them was in the car – just in case Paul ever forgot where he parked the SUV.

Determined to get his prized SUV back, Conway and his employee followed the digital trail provided by the AirTag and sought help from local police. Authorities offered to escort Conway in their search for the stolen vehicle. Their efforts paid off when they discovered the SUV discreetly parked on a serene residential street.

Recognizing the risks of confronting the thieves directly, Conway was grateful for the support of the police, which greatly mitigated the dangers of such a pursuit. Beyond just getting his vehicle back, Conway was faced with an urgent need to get his SUV back due to the insurance implications. “I knew [the worker had] I left the keys on the seat, so it wouldn’t have been safe,” he explained. The potential financial and emotional impact of not recovering the vehicle weighed heavily on him, making successful recovery all the more crucial. “So I would have been devastated if I hadn't gotten it back because I wouldn't have been covered,” Conway said.