After 5 years under water, a muddy iPad helped crack a case straight out of a Hollywood script
It all started with a Ming vase stolen from a Swiss museum, a shooting at a comedian’s house in Woodford, East London and the robbery of a luxury apartment. At first, these events seemed totally unrelated, but they were actually all part of a complex international crime network that police managed to unravel after six long years of investigation.
The turning point? An iPad mini, buried just under an inch of sand on the banks of the River Thames. The tablet turned out to be the key piece of evidence that helped police crack the case. Thanks to this discovery, three individuals were convicted for their involvement in the near-assassination of one of Britain’s most infamous armed robbers.
Even without working, the iPad was able to give the needed information to solve the case. | Image credit – Met Police
The report goes over all the steps taken and how the crimes were connected. But one of the most crucial moments came in November 2024. It all started with a small clue in a statement that led the police to a specific part of the River Thames with a metal detector.
There, they found a cellular iPad buried just under an inch of sand and covered in mud. Thanks to the forensics team, they managed to retrieve the SIM card. The data from it revealed crucial links between the iPad, an iPhone and various suspects, shedding light on the case.
I can’t repeat the words I used but my jaw dropped. What a beautiful piece of the puzzle to put together.
– Detective Chief Inspector Webb, Met Police, March 2025.
Police were able to trace email accounts back to the main suspect and his close associate, which led them to investigate 59 purchases on Amazon and eBay. Among the purchased items were unregistered Nokia burner phones, which were used to coordinate the murder plot.
Ultimately, the three men, all seasoned international criminals, were brought down by determined detectives who tracked their discarded tech. They were convicted of conspiracy to murder, with sentencing scheduled for April 25.
This isn’t the first time a piece of technology has played a key role in solving a crime. For instance, AirTags have quietly become heroes in numerous stories, whether it is helping people recover stolen items or assisting police in catching thieves.
