Apprentice Carpenter's Stolen AirPods Lead Directly to Suspected Thieves' Lair
An 18-year-old apprentice carpenter from Werribee, in Melbourne's west, has successfully tracked his stolen Apple AirPods to a nearby residence using smartphone technology, only to face frustrating delays as police continue their investigation. Blake Mendola, who has endured repeated thefts of his work tools, discovered the location of his stolen gear through the Find My app after thieves targeted his ute on February 27.
Repeated Theft Incidents and Technological Tracking
Blake Mendola has suffered multiple thefts from his vehicle parked outside his family home. Previously, over $10,000 worth of tools were stolen from his ute, which were never recovered. In the latest incident, thieves discarded his makeshift replacement tools across the front lawn and instead took a soccer bag containing approximately $400 worth of gear along with his AirPods.
Using the Find My app, which functions for AirPods similarly to iPhones, Blake pinpointed the stolen items to a house just a short distance from his home. He immediately contacted Victoria Police, providing them with the exact location, expecting swift action to recover his property.
Police Response and Family Frustration
Despite Blake's clear evidence, police instructed him to wait while they investigated further. "I thought I'd call the police and they could just go down there and get my stuff back," Blake told Daily Mail. "I told them exactly where they were and they told me to sit tight and they'd deal with it."
However, no action was taken. Blake staked out the house for days while his repeated calls to police went unanswered. His mother, Nicole Mendola, expressed their reluctance to confront the suspected thieves due to the rough neighbourhood. "Blake was so upset that day," she said. "He had a soccer game the next day and had to wear his dirty old pair of boots. He had paid $300 for them."
Mrs Mendola highlighted the impact on her son, who is in his third year as an apprentice carpenter. "He works very hard. Early starts and very long days. Six months ago he had $10,000 worth of tools stolen and he saved the money himself for every single one of those tools," she explained. "Thank God he had insurance. Since then he has learnt never to leave anything of value in there. He just didn't think when he left his soccer bag that someone would take that."
Broader Context of Vehicle Theft in Melbourne's West
Thefts from motor vehicles have been a persistent problem across Melbourne's west, with reported incidents increasing significantly. In the municipality of Wyndham, where Blake's vehicle was targeted, theft from vehicles rose by 34 percent in the latest reporting period, with thousands of incidents recorded.
Victoria-wide statistics reveal 86,600 thefts from motor vehicles in the 12 months to September 30 last year, an increase of 18,577 cases. This category is among the fastest-growing and most common crimes, alongside retail thefts and vehicle thefts, contributing to Victoria's overall crime surge—a potential issue in upcoming state elections.
Legal Perspectives on Police Challenges
High-profile Melbourne criminal lawyer George Balot, of Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers, commented on the difficulties faced by police in the region. "Policing resources in parts of Melbourne’s west are stretched extremely thin," he said. "As criminal lawyers, we frequently contact local stations to follow up the disclosure of evidentiary material in matters before the courts. In my experience, reaching stations such as Wyndham can be extraordinarily difficult—at times it is challenging even to get through on the phone to make enquiries."
Mr Balot noted that even with clear evidence from victims, police often struggle to obtain search warrants. "From a victim’s perspective, it can feel as though the technology has already done the investigative work for police," he explained. "However, a location signal alone will not always meet the legal threshold required to search private property. Officers must still establish reasonable grounds and, in many cases, obtain a warrant before entering a residence. That legal safeguard can create an understandable disconnect between what victims can see on their phones and what police are lawfully able to do."
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, stating that unknown offenders stole items from a parked vehicle between 9.30pm on February 26 and 5.45am on February 27. The victim reported missing items including AirPods, bags, tools, and glasses.
The Mendola family remains frustrated by the lack of police action despite what they see as clear evidence. "It's just disgusting how Blake had told them that he had the exact location and they couldn't make the time to go there," Mrs Mendola said. "Even the following day. They couldn't even call him back to let him know what was happening. They probably stole from other cars that night too. They might have had a stash of other people's things."
Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report. As Blake waits for resolution, his case underscores the challenges victims face in navigating police procedures amid rising theft rates in urban areas.
