Another California Apple Store smash-and-grab caught on video
Apple is struggling with an epidemic of robberies in its California retail stores
By Cal Jeffrey,
In context: California Apple Stores have suffered a string of robberies
that started early last summer. In each instance, the perpetrators were
able to get away without being caught. However, security guards and
civilians were able to apprehend one suspect in the most recent
incident.
The Apple Store in Santa Rosa, California was hit on Sunday by six
individuals wearing hoodies. The robbery followed the same MO as
previous thefts at other Apple outlets in California. The suspects
perform what basically amounts to a smash-and-grab, except there is no
need to smash since Apple’s display products aren’t under glass.
The only difference between Santa Rosa and the other robberies is that
this time there were six individuals (usually there are only four) and
one of them got caught.
A bystander who goes by the handle “Gooneryoda” on Reddit caught the
theft on video. He was also able to record security and mall patrons
wrestling one of the suspects to the ground in another part of the
building.
“I was at the Santa Rosa Plaza, and I saw these six guys in jeans and
hoodies making a their [sic] way to the Apple Store. I knew something
was about to go down, so I recorded it,” he said on the r/Apple
subreddit.
Santa Rosa Police reported on its Facebook page that “several thieves
entered the Apple Store at the Santa Rosa Plaza mall and ran away with
multiple devices.”
This is the second time the Santa Rosa store has been hit — the last
time was in August. Police did not have an estimated value of the items,
but previous heists have all averaged in the $25,000-$30,000 range. The
previous Santa Rosa theft was valued at $35,000.
This is only one of more than a dozen similar robberies that have taken
place in California Apple Stores this year. Other locations include
Fresno (twice), San Luis Obispo, Walnut Creek, Santa Clara, Roseville,
and several other cities throughout the state.
Police have been able to arrest two crews involved in carrying out the
crimes, but have still not determined whether they are connected to a
larger ring. Lt. Robert Boll of the Burlingame Police Department told
AppleInsider it could be an organized crime ring, but could just as
easily be a string of copycats.
"They see how easy it is when the news plays the video," said Boll
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