AirTag used to track stolen Honda linked to VIN swapping scheme

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A South Philadelphia woman says an Apple AirTag helped her locate her stolen Honda Accord in South Jersey - only for police to initially insist the vehicle wasn't hers.

Jenna Doyle discovered her car missing in mid-June after walking outside her home.

She had hidden an AirTag inside the vehicle, which showed the car was about an hour and a half away in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

When she contacted police there, Doyle said officers told her the vehicle didn't match her description.

It appeared to be a 2018 Honda with a different license plate and a different public VIN.

Only after checking the hidden VIN under the floor mat did officers confirm it was her 2020 Accord.

"Somebody made it their own. It was absolutely wild. I couldn't believe it," Doyle said. "It was like a whole new car, but my stuff was still inside."

Philadelphia Police Major Crimes Auto Squad Captain Robert McKeever said thieves often replace the public VIN plate on the windshield, obtain a fake title, and sell the car.

He said criminals likely used a device to access the vehicle's computer system and create a new key fob. It's technology that is currently available online.

The Investigative Team first told you about this elaborate scheme in 2024 when a viewer unknowingly purchased a stolen rental vehicle from Facebook Marketplace.

Philadelphia police report more than 8,000 auto thefts so far this year, with about a quarter involving Hondas due to their interchangeable and valuable parts.

Despite the high numbers, auto thefts are down roughly 1,000 compared to last year, which officials attribute partly to a public service campaign urging residents to use steering wheel locks and devices that secure a vehicle's computer port.

"It covers the port to the car's computer and prevents thieves from accessing the car's computer," said Lt. Brian Geer.

Doyle had a steering wheel lock on her car when it was stolen, but detectives say such devices typically deter thieves and often prompt them to move on to another vehicle.

Bridgeton Police tell the Investigative Team that the person who was in possession of the Honda bought it from someone and the case remains under investigation.

Police also said the officer in this case did an amazing job tracking the vehicle after the victim alerted them the vehicle was once again on the move.