GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio –
An Ohio man was taken into custody after he allegedly tracked his ex girlfriend with a device without her knowledge.
According to WFMJ, 23-year-old Bikash Thapa was arrested after he allegedly used a tracking device to trace the movements of an ex girlfriend.
The Goshen Township Police Department told reporters with WFMJ that a woman contacted officers after she discovered an AirTag in her vehicle on May 8. The woman told police that she found the device after she received a notification on her iPhone that indicated her location was being tracked, per the outlet.
After finding the AirTag, the woman confronted Thapa over text message and he allegedly admitted to placing the device because he was concerned she was “seeing other people.”
The woman blocked communications with Thapa and promptly called authorities, WFMJ reported.
Thapa was charged with illegal use of a tracking device or application (1st-degree misdemeanor), per the station.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance, WFMJ reported. Thapa is expected to appear in court on July 3 for a pre-trial hearing, according to the station.
Knowingly installing a tracking device or application on the property of another person without their consent, or to cause a device to track another person’s movements without their consent is illegal in the State of Ohio.
Those convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio face as much as 180 days behind bars and a $1,000 fine. Under certain circumstances, such as prior convictions of crimes of a similar nature or if a protection order was in place against the offender, the charge can escalate to a fourth-degree felony.
Apple has designed features to prevent unwanted tracking. iPhone and iPad devices with iOS 14.5 or later installed can receive “Tracking Notification” alerts if a tracking device is found to be moving with them for a period of time. The notification can be opened to view a map, which will have the device’s location pinged.
AirTags and other Find My Network accessories will also make a sound after they are separated from their owner and moved.
Using an iPhone, you can also use “Precision Finding” to find an AirTag, which should cause the device to emit a sound. After finding the device, you can use a NFC-capable smartphone to the AirTag to not only view its serial number, but limited owner information.
Instructions will also be provided to disable the device, which will stop it from sharing a location.
Authorities can request information from Apple to support investigations into unlawful tracking, WFMJ reported.
