Lang
1/20/24
An Iowa City man is accused of placing a tracking device on the bumper of a woman’s car.
The alleged victim reported to Iowa City Police last August that an Apple Airtag had connected to her phone despite the fact she had never purchased such a device. The woman clicked a notification for the tag that made it ping. She followed the noise and located the device in the lining of the bumper underneath her car.
Police sent a subpoena to Apple to get the serial number and account information for the Airtag. Apple would eventually provide details indicating the device was linked to an account belonging to 44-year-old Michael Webb of Crescent Street. It also included his email address and phone number.
A search warrant was issued for Webb’s phone, which reportedly confirmed his phone was connected to the Airtag.
Webb allegedly told police the woman had rented a room from him in the past, but he would provide no other information. Police say he did admit to owning several Apple products, including Airtags.
Webb is charged with Unauthorized Placement of a Global Positioning Device…which in Iowa is considered a form of stalking. If convicted, he faces a maximum of one year in jail.