Apple Store in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
In the latest Apple crime roundup, New York’s mayor is indicted nearly a year after his Apple devices were seized, an iPhone theft ring by Amazon employees in Indiana, a new California law cracks down on smash-and-grabs like what plague Apple stores, and more!
Seven individuals, described as “quasi-gang members,” were arrested outside a Tokyo Apple Store in September of 2023 for “obstructing” business at the store. According to Japan Times, the men belong to a group called Chinese Dragon and had been seeking to purchase “many” iPhone 15s for resale the day that model was released.
Per police, two members of the group, who were hoping to buy iPhones following the cancellation of reservations, led to a “quarrel.”
Following the seizure of his Apple devices, New York mayor is indicted
In November of 2023, several Apple devices, including two iPhones and an iPads, were seized from New York Mayor Eric Adams. On Thursday, ten months later, Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy offenses.
The indictment included a story about one of those devices. In November, agents seized a pair of phones from Adams, but neither was the mayor’s “personal” phone, which he used to “communicate about the conduct described in this indictment,” the government said.
Per 404 Media, the day after the stop, Adams surrendered the personal phone, which was locked with a passcode. He told agents that he had changed his passcode days earlier when he heard about the investigation but did not remember the new passcode.
Agents seized another phone from the mayor Thursday, per The Associated Press. Adams has pled not guilty to the charges.
Amazon employees arrested for major iPhone theft
A pair of brothers who worked for Amazon were arrested for stealing 10 iPhone 15s and charged with organized retail theft. According to WANE, the two were caught when ecoATM informed Fort Wayne police about “a large amount of suspicious transactions involving Apple iPhone 15s.”
Additionally, there are active warrants for another Amazon employee and her boyfriend, who are suspected of selling more than 150 iPhones through ecoATM.
“All of the suspects used ecoATMs as a vehicle to sell the stolen phones,” Fort Wayne police said.
Two arrested for grand theft at California Apple Store
Police in Manhattan Beach, Calif., arrested two suspects on August 23 after reports of a theft at the Apple Store there. According to Patch, store staff saw a suspect “concealing items and leaving the store without paying,” and told police they recognized the suspect for other incidents.
That person and a second suspect were both arrested for organized retail theft.
Woman used stolen credit card at Apple Store
Also in Southern California, police are looking for a woman who they say used a lost or stolen credit card to buy an iPhone at the Irvine Apple Store, on September 13.
According to the Irvine Police Department, the woman had a man with her.
California governor signs measure to punish “smash-and-grabs” more harshly
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on September 12 to stiffen penalties for large-scale smash-and-grab thefts. Under the law, sentences will be enhanced “when suspects take, damage, or destroy property valued at over $50,000.”
In a separate announcement the same day, Newsom said that the state’s $267 million investment to combat organized retail crime has led to nearly 7,000 arrests.
Warnings in suburban Philadelphia about iPhone, iPad thefts
A series of iPhones and iPads have been stolen from porches in Bucks County, Pa., and the thefts “may be linked to a cell phone theft ring,” police in the county told 6 ABC.
One family had four iPhones stolen, the report said.
iPad stolen from soccer stadium in U.K.
Police are looking for two suspects after an iPad was stolen from the home stadium of the English Premier League club Aston Villa. According to Yahoo, the theft occurred on August 24, after a match between Villa and Arsenal.
#APPEAL|
Do you recognise this man and woman?
West Midlands Police would like to speak to them after an Apple iPad was stolen.The theft took place at the Trinity Road end at Aston Villa Football Club, following a match against Arsenal on 24 August, at around 7.30pm.
If you pic.twitter.com/LXsIKf9vq3
— Aston Villa Updates (@avfcbreaking) September 13, 2024
“Porch pirate” on a moped steals iPhone in suburban Boston
A thief was caught on camera stealing an iPhone straight off the front porch of a home in Needham, Mass. According to WCVB, the package with an iPhone 15 was taken soon after delivery.
A neighbor thought the sight was strange, since “no one in the area has a moped.”
iPhone stolen from a tourist on a ferry boat in Thailand
A 37-year-old tourist had her iPhone stolen while on a ferry in Thailand by a man who sat beside her and engaged in conversation. According to Pattaya Mail, the woman discovered her phone was gone and the man had taken it.
Police reviewed CCTV footage, located the 52-year-old suspect, and recovered the stolen iPhone. The man had prior convictions, including one for indecent acts involving a child under 15.
