More than 100 Apple Store customers targeted by L.A. burglars
More than 100 burglary victims near Los Angeles, Calif., are said to have been spotted and followed by criminals after they visited Apple retail stores.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a group of thieves in the metropolitan area conducted more than 100 "follow away" burglaries over the past year. In December, three L.A. residents were charged by the Orange County district attorney's office with burglary and grand theft in connection with 28 cases. The district attorney said customers who visited Apple retail stores had their vehicles broken into, and computers were stolen.
Another 15 cases since September are under investigation by the Manhattan Beach Police. Those victims were targeted at the Apple Store at the Village Mall on Sepulveda Boulevard.
"The suspects sought by Manhattan Beach police had a specific method of operation, Brown said. They stake out an Apple store and choose their target," the report said. "Then they follow their prospective victims when they drive to another shop or a parking spot near their home. If computers are left unattended inside the vehicle, the thieves strike."
It is believed that the burglaries are the result of a large crime ring that spans across Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the stolen computers are being shipped out of the country. Law enforcement officials have advised residents not to leave expensive items like computers in their car unattended.
The burglaries first began in December 2008, when suspects reportedly attempted to break into the car of an undercover police officer who purchased an Apple computer at a store at the Shops at Mission Viejo in California.
Apple recently renovated its store in Mission Viejo after Microsoft opened its own retail outlet in the same mall.
As a seller of high-priced computers and electronic devices, Apple retail stores are frequently the target of burglaries. In September, thieves were caught on film at a New Jersey Apple store as they smashed a window in front of the location and ran out with tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a group of thieves in the metropolitan area conducted more than 100 "follow away" burglaries over the past year. In December, three L.A. residents were charged by the Orange County district attorney's office with burglary and grand theft in connection with 28 cases. The district attorney said customers who visited Apple retail stores had their vehicles broken into, and computers were stolen.
Another 15 cases since September are under investigation by the Manhattan Beach Police. Those victims were targeted at the Apple Store at the Village Mall on Sepulveda Boulevard.
"The suspects sought by Manhattan Beach police had a specific method of operation, Brown said. They stake out an Apple store and choose their target," the report said. "Then they follow their prospective victims when they drive to another shop or a parking spot near their home. If computers are left unattended inside the vehicle, the thieves strike."
It is believed that the burglaries are the result of a large crime ring that spans across Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the stolen computers are being shipped out of the country. Law enforcement officials have advised residents not to leave expensive items like computers in their car unattended.
The burglaries first began in December 2008, when suspects reportedly attempted to break into the car of an undercover police officer who purchased an Apple computer at a store at the Shops at Mission Viejo in California.
Apple recently renovated its store in Mission Viejo after Microsoft opened its own retail outlet in the same mall.
As a seller of high-priced computers and electronic devices, Apple retail stores are frequently the target of burglaries. In September, thieves were caught on film at a New Jersey Apple store as they smashed a window in front of the location and ran out with tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise.
Comments
For some reason I can't really picture burglars following people coming out of a Microsoft Store.
There are easier ways to steal Windows.
For some reason I can't really picture burglars following people coming out of a Microsoft Store.
Then you have to open your eyes more.
There is no limit to stupidity. http://www.dumbcrooks.com/old-dumbcrooks-site/
I was thinking that there should be a comparable site for 'Dumb PC'rs'. But that would be redundant, wouldn't it?
For some reason I can't really picture burglars following people coming out of a Microsoft Store.
LOL
It really irks me that Apple does not seem to see a problem of watching their customers carrying thousands of dollars in computer hardware out of their store in big bright-white boxes with a picture of the latptop/iMac prominently displayed on the side walking outside their store in a major downtown metropolitan city near the Tenderloin, where thieves, crackheads, punks hang out and not think "Hmm... maybe our packaging / wrapping should be more discrete?"
I no longer purchase high-ticket items at their stores. I'll just order them online and have them shipped. When I buy items that are placed in their bags, I bring another bag, backpack, something that conceals what I'm carrying. It's really stupid what they do.
It's irresponsible what they do. Some simple common-sense would do wonders.
There are easier ways to steal Windows.
lol was seriously thinking the same thing even though they sell 360 and ZuneHD there.
You'd have a better chance at robbing someone leaving a bestbuy and getting something valuable than the MS store (if your really scoping).
Atleast the criminals (i dont support stealing peoples stuff they had to work to buy) put some thought behind it, if they are taking them right after they buy them, then they are new-in-box and im sure in china or wherever they will fetch a good price.
Still...common sense would dictate to take yourself home if you know your carrying something that valuable. Thats like putting a LCD in your backseat and continue on shopping, your asking for trouble. Even if you put it in the trunk, you never know who may be watching.
I shop at the Apple store in San Francisco quite a bit. I've told the sales folks there countless of times to hand me my purchases in a bag that does not scream "steal me". Of course, it's not the fault of clerks.
Next time take along your own shopping bag from Sears or something similar.
ask ballmer or rubinstein...those are some real thieves with some finesse
By the way, one can get free Ubuntu stickers to place over the Apple logo.
http://system76.com/article_info.php?articles_id=9
What you don't want to appear as is a smug, careless Apple snob. (even if your not, it appears so strutting fancy Apple gear)
It's cool to be poor and suffering now, shows sympathy with others who are not doing so well.
I went down one busy street today, and there was a dozen people with signs begging for work.
The Apple Authorized Seller I visited today to get a new battery is down from 3 full timers to just one.
True unemployment rate is closer to 18%, rather than the 10% based upon unemployment checks.
The current employment amount is leveling out to almost the same level as the last recession under Clinton, so something very bad is occurring, we are not creating new jobs, most likely China is to blame. Bush gave us a temporary boost, but now that's all gone.
Heads need to roll in Congress and we need a government that's more friendly to business that puts people to work and rebuilds America, we are done playing socialist now.
What's next for America? Hugo Chavez?
more than 100 burglary victims near los angeles, calif., are said to have been spotted and followed by criminals after they visited apple retail stores.
t.n.s.
The same thing has been happening in Atlanta. Robbers will follow a person who bought a new mac and steal it from them when they are either at a stoplight or when they leave their vehicle.
Another reason to buy online.
I know, it isn't funny, but it almost sounds like bragging on the brand.
Next time take along your own shopping bag from Sears or something similar.
...Maybe something with the Microsoft logo?