A pair of missing AirPods led Lathrop Police to a cache of stolen identification documents and debit cards last week and sent two women back to jail.

According to the agency, officers responded to a report of a theft from a vehicle and learned that among the items that were taken from the car were a pair of Apple AirPods. The victim notified the police that using the device’s GPS tracking they were able to locate them at the city’s Holiday Inn Express before noticing that they moved to the Save Mart parking lot on Harlan Road.

Officers located two female suspects in the parking lot and determined that both were on probation and had warrants out for their arrest. One of the two suspects was in possession of the AirPods, and a probation search at the Holiday Inn Express where they had a room turned up mail from 33 separate people across Stockton, Turlock and Lodi.

The two suspects, who have not been named, were also reportedly in possession of stolen debit and credit cards, gift cards, and Social Security cards in addition to the mail.

Both suspects were arrested and booked into the San Joaquin Jail on charges of grand theft, possession of identity theft related paperwork, possession of a control substance, and outstanding warrants.

The Lathrop Police Department urges the public to remember to take any items of value out of their vehicle if possible or at least hide them from plain sight – most smash-and-grab property crimes are determined to be “crimes of opportunity” and law enforcement encourages people to be mindful of where they place their possession.

“Please remember that placing personal items in the trunk of your car or out of sight, and locking your vehicle will help deter auto break-ins,” the agency said in a release. “It is an even better practice to never leave anything of value in your vehicle at all.”

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.