Between 2 and 3 February, unknown individuals broke into the boatyard in Sietow and stole the outboard motors from several boats, including Karola G.’s. What the thieves did not realise was that one of the engines was secured with a DAVANCI Connect tracker, a partner of IT’S MY BIKE, which uses GPS tracking technology intended for e-bikes to protect valuable outboard motors.

On the morning of 3 February, Karola G.’s phone rings. It was an employee from the boat workshop. The message was brief and took her by surprise: several engines had been stolen, including hers. Including hers. While she is still processing the shock, the tracker is already active and sending the location of the engines. Rather than driving straight onto the motorway, the perpetrators first stop briefly in the village of Sietow, before continuing on the B192 towards Neubrandenburg and on to the German-Polish border. They then take a break of several hours before continuing their journey on the Polish S3 expressway.

Karola G. and the Bike Hunters from IT’S MY BIKE immediately contact the police in Frankfurt (Oder), requesting that the Polish authorities be involved in the search. Meanwhile, the signal continues to move. The perpetrators leave the S3 expressway and turn off towards Ploty, finally reaching their destination, the small village of Mścice with a population of around 1,600, via the S6 – about 160 kilometres from the German border.

On 5 February, both police forces exchanged all the necessary information. The Polish police went to the last known location of the tracker and found what they were looking for. Karola G.’s engine, along with five other outboard engines worth around €100,000 in total. The perpetrators had removed all identification marks from the engines. However, the DAVANCI Connect tracker was found in one of the six seized engines, enabling the owner to be identified.

The owner is relieved and delighted that her investment in trackers for her boats has paid off.