A Toyota SUV stolen from Quinlan Parade, Manly Vale, was recovered undamaged after an Apple AirTag helped trace the vehicle to Dee Why.
The vehicle was taken sometime between 5:00 pm on Saturday, 20 June and 9:00 am the following morning. The keys had been left inside the Toyota, while an Apple AirTag had also been left in the vehicle.
The tracking device allowed the owner and police to trace the Toyota to Tulich Avenue, Dee Why. The vehicle was recovered undamaged, but the keys were not found, leaving the owner to arrange for it to be rekeyed.
Tracking Technology Used In Northern Beaches Recoveries
The Manly Vale case was one of three recent stolen vehicle recoveries on the Northern Beaches where tracking technology helped locate the vehicle after it had been taken.
At least ten vehicle thefts occurred across the Northern Beaches during the same week.
In Allambie Heights, a BYD electric vehicle was taken from Nyrang Road between 9:00 pm on Saturday, 20 June and 9:00 am the next morning. The key was understood to have been taken from the owner’s home.
The vehicle was linked to an app on the owner’s mobile phone, allowing its location to be tracked. Police were directed to Grover Avenue, Cromer, where the vehicle was found undamaged but without the key.
The BYD was recovered just after 11:00 am on Sunday, 21 June, less than three hours after the owner discovered it was missing.
AirPods Help Locate Stolen Utility
A Ford Ranger stolen from Collaroy Plateau was also recovered after the owner tracked AirPods left inside the vehicle.
The utility was taken from outside a home at Veterans Parade between 8:00 pm on Thursday, 18 June and 7:30 am on Friday, 19 June. The keys were understood to have been taken after the home was broken into.
After the Ford Ranger was found to be missing, the owner used the Find My app to track the AirPods to Grafton Crescent, Dee Why. The vehicle was later recovered, and police forensically examined it.
Keys Remain A Common Factor
The three recoveries involved different forms of tracking technology, including an AirTag, a connected vehicle app and AirPods left inside a vehicle.
Newer vehicles, including electric models such as Tesla and BYD, can include connected systems that allow owners to view a vehicle’s location through a mobile phone app.
Tesla vehicles can also include a PIN-to-drive function, which requires a personal identification number before the car can be driven even if the key is available.
A separate nearby vehicle-related incident was also recorded in Fairlight, where property was stolen from a vehicle parked on Willyama Avenue at about 2:30 am on Saturday, 13 June. That matter involved property stolen from a vehicle, not the recovery of a stolen car.
Published 30-June-2026
