In a stunning turn of events, a Malaysian man’s car disappeared from a mall’s valet parking service in Kuala Lumpur, only to be recovered later with the help of an Apple AirTag device. The incident, which has raised concerns about the security of valet parking services, has led to the arrest of a 58-year-old suspect.
According to a Facebook post by Zach Khai Shin, the car’s owner, he had used the valet parking service at Suria KLCC mall on July 7, thinking it would be more convenient than searching for a parking spot himself. However, when he returned to pick up his car at around 1:20 pm, the valet staff informed him that it had vanished. Despite the staff’s initial claims that they had no idea what had happened to the car, Shin’s quick thinking and the use of an Apple AirTag device paired with his vehicle led to its recovery.
Lucky got Apple AirTag – Car went 25km away
Shin’s friend, who had been called to assist in locating the car, used the Find My tracking app to follow the location indicated by the AirTag. The tracking device led them directly to the suspect’s parking spot in Subang Jaya, Selangor, where the car was found at around 2:35 pm. The suspect, who had attempted to escape, was arrested shortly after.
The Dang Wangi police chief, Noor Dellhan Yahaya, praised the swift action of the police and the use of technology in recovering the stolen vehicle. “Fortunately, the car had an Apple AirTag, which allowed us to find it in such a short time,” he said.
Suria KLCC mall has since issued a statement, claiming that the vehicle was stolen despite being “securely parked” by its valet staff. The mall has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident and is working with the authorities to identify the suspect. The mall’s management has also promised to review and strengthen the standard operating procedures of its valet parking operator to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Shin, who has expressed gratitude to the police for their prompt assistance, has also criticized the mall for not contacting him about the incident. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and taking necessary precautions when using valet parking services. It also highlights the potential benefits of using tracking devices like Apple AirTag to protect one’s property.