Police have recovered stolen tools worth about $60,000 and charged two people after an Apple AirTag helped track the items to a Ponoka residence.

According to RCMP, Wetaskiwin officers received a report Aug. 8 that a company work trailer near Malmo had been unlawfully and approximately $60,000 worth of tools were taken. One stolen item contained an Apple AirTag that pinged to a residence in Ponoka.

Ponoka RCMP, Ponoka General Investigation Section, Wetaskiwin RCMP, Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit and Police Dog services executed a search warrant on the residence and recovered the majority of the stolen tools, which have been returned to their owners.

Lauren Curtis, 46, of Ponoka, and Andrew Renaud, 34, of Lacombe County, were arrested and both charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000. After judicial interim release hearings, they were released and are scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka on Aug. 22.

Curtis has previous criminal charges including drug trafficking and property crime offences, with charges withdrawn in 2024 due to no reasonable likelihood of conviction. Source: rdnewsnow.com. Renaud was previously charged with break and enter in 2023. Source: rdnewsnow.com

Police said the investigation shows great collaborative effort and outstanding teamwork by Ponoka and Wetaskiwin RCMP that led to a successful resolution and recovery of the stolen property.

Anyone with information about criminal activity is asked to contact Ponoka RCMP.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com, or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play stores.

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