AirPods are not only useful for listening to audio and making phone calls, but they can also help cops find your hijacked car. Who knew?
Kejuan Franklin knows. At least, he does now.
Prosecutors say Franklin, 18, is the person who jumped off a bicycle and carjacked a driver at gunpoint in Lincoln Park on Thursday evening.
The victim and a witness were outside the man’s car on the 1200 block of West Fullerton when a bicyclist rode up and got into his 2006 Toyota Prius, according to police and prosecutors.
When the victim tried to get him out of the car, the hijacker pointed a gun with a laser sight at the victim and the witness, prosecutors said. The victim pushed his companion out of the line of fire, and the carjacker drove away with the car.
The victim’s AirPods, which were inside the car, went along for the ride.
Police tracked their signal and located the hijacked car in an alley. Franklin and a woman were standing next to it, prosecutors said. And the victim’s AirPods? They were allegedly in Franklin’s pocket.
Officers also found a loaded handgun in the car’s center console. It had a laser sight attached. The victim and the witness both identified Franklin in photo line-ups, according to the allegations.
Prosecutors charged Franklin with aggravated vehicular hijacking. His public defender said he has no criminal background and lives with his family.
Judge John Lyke set bail at $250,000, meaning Franklin must post $25,000 to get out of jail. Lyke said he must go on electronic monitoring if he does get out.