Tracking items of items in a facility involves using an RFID portal system to determine when an EAS tag containing an RFID element has exited from a secured area within the facility. The EAS tag is triggered to initiate a wireless beacon signal upon exiting. Thereafter, control logic associated with the EAS tag is used to cause the wireless beacon signal to be communicated at predetermined intervals. The wireless beacon signal includes unique identifier information concerning the EAS tag. When the beacon signal is received at one or more short range communication (SRC) devices outside the secured area, its location is determined.