The Tesla Smartphone App helped tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios retrieve his stolen, lime green Model X after it was taken by robbers who held his mother at gunpoint.
Kyrgios, the 26th-ranked player in the world, is known for his fiery competitive nature. He is from Australia and still lives in the country in the capital of Canberra.
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On Monday morning, a masked man who identified himself as “Chris” pointed a firearm at Kyrgios mother and demanded she hands over the key card to her son’s Model X. Chris also asked for assistance in starting the vehicle so he could drive away with it.
Kyrgios’ mother was escorted outside at gunpoint, according to The Guardian, and let Chris inside the car. She then ran back into the house and called for help from others who were inside. The robber took off.
Krygios used his Tesla App to not only monitor the location of the Model X but also to limit the traveling speed to 80 km/h, or roughly 50 MPH.
The updates on the location of the vehicle, along with the speed limitation, helped police find the vehicle on a suburban street, which then led to a standoff. Chris sped off in the stolen car. Kyrgios continued to update police with the vehicle coordinates, which eventually led to the end of the chase. The carjacker was subdued by police and was charged with aggravated robbery, driving a vehicle without consent, failing to stop for police, driving while suspended, and resisting a public official.
Chris was denied bail, and Kyrgios’ Model X was recovered by police.
One of the interesting parts of the Tesla infrastructure and technology is the fact that the many elements of the company have helped capture criminals.
In early March, Tesla Superchargers helped foil an $8,000 heist at a Georgia Sam’s Club, where thieves stole gaming systems, electric toothbrushes, and other high-dollar items.
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