Waco Man Arrested for Illegally Tracking Woman with Apple AirTag
Waco, Texas – A 39-year-old man from Waco has been arrested after allegedly using an Apple AirTag to track a woman without her consent. Hugo Mendez is now facing charges of unlawfully installing a tracking device, according to reports from KWTX.
The incident came to light when the woman started receiving AirTag notifications on her phone on August 14, 2023. AirTags are small tracking devices designed to help locate misplaced personal items. However, the woman did not own an AirTag, raising suspicions about the notifications.
Following her intuition, the woman searched her car and eventually found a magnetic box attached to the underside of her vehicle. Inside the box, she discovered an Apple AirTag. Concerned and alarmed, she promptly reported the incident to the local authorities.
Upon receiving the report, the police obtained a subpoena and served it to Apple. Through this action, they were able to confirm that the tracker belonged to Mendez. Subsequently, the police called Mendez, who reportedly admitted to placing the device on the woman’s vehicle.
Mendez justified his actions by claiming that he thought the woman had hit his car and left the scene. Seeking justice and hoping to identify the responsible party, he allegedly followed her vehicle. However, when the driver did not return to the car as expected, he decided to attach the AirTag to the vehicle using a magnetic box, as detailed in the court affidavit.
Hugo Mendez has since been taken into custody and is currently being held at the McLennan County Jail on a $2,000 bond. The unauthorized tracking of individuals is a serious offense and punishable by law. This case serves as a reminder of the potential misuse of tracking devices and the importance of privacy and consent in the digital age.
Analyst comment
Negative news. The arrest of Hugo Mendez for illegally tracking a woman with an Apple AirTag raises concerns about privacy and consent. This incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and awareness surrounding the misuse of tracking devices. The market for tracking technologies may face potential scrutiny and tighter restrictions as a result.
