Apple Store thieves in California face increased penalties

Crime Blotter: Apple Store Thieves Face Bigger Penalties in California

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you may have heard about the recent changes in California’s approach to punishing retail theft. On November 5, voters in California passed Proposition 36, undoing some of the changes made by Proposition 47 back in 2014. This new measure, approved by over 70% of voters, will reclassify certain crimes like shoplifting, burglary, and drug offenses as felonies instead of misdemeanors.

One of the key differences with this new measure is harsher penalties for crimes committed by three or more people. This is particularly important given the two large-scale Apple Store theft rings that have plagued the state in recent years, one in 2018 and another in 2023.

In other Apple-related crime news, a recent incident in Valencia, Spain, involved masked thieves crashing a high-end vehicle into an Apple Store window and making off with more than 100 Apple devices, mostly iPhones. This marks at least the fourth major theft at that location since 2017.

Closer to home, a man in Scotland tried to pull off a scam by purchasing an iPhone, replacing it with sugar, and attempting to return it for a refund. This clever trick didn’t go unnoticed, and the man eventually confessed to his fraudulent activities.

Unfortunately, theft can happen anywhere, including government offices. In July, a staggering 1,689 iPhones were stolen from a locked room at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. The missing devices had a total value of $87,260, but as of the latest report, no arrests have been made in connection with the theft.

Moving south to Texas, a pair of men were arrested after being caught with stolen AirPods, which led police to discover drugs and a stolen firearm. One man faces charges for manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance, while the other faces charges for possession of a controlled substance, firearm theft, and unlawful weapon carry.

Over in Hong Kong, a former police officer received a 15-month sentence for stealing items including an iPad Air and jewelry out of greed. The thefts were brought to light after the iPad’s owner tracked the device to a restaurant where the former officer had attempted to decrypt it.

Finally, in India, a constable had his iPhone 14 Pro Max stolen while shopping for flowers. The incident, which occurred during a festive season, highlighted concerns about safety and security in public places.

These stories remind us that crime can happen anywhere, and it’s important to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect our belongings. Stay safe out there!