Looters ransacked an Apple Store in Philadelphia in an attempt to cash in on their efforts by selling off a heap of demo iPhones placed in the retail outlet. The incident happened on Tuesday at 8 PM, and the thieves stuffed the devices into plastic bags before fleeing the crime scene. According to various bystanders, around a hundred people were involved in this illicit activity, and they also took a chance to rob other stores before the police showed up.
Thieves were covered in Halloween masks to conceal their identity, but their efforts were nullied as the demo iPhones and iPads were remotely locked
With the continued efforts from authorities, around 20 people involved in looting the Apple Store outlet have been arrested so far. Aside from making their getaway with iPhones and iPads, the looters also tried to rob a nearby Foot Locker, according to statements from the police. The authorities claim that the attacks were coordinated, and the number of stores broken into has not been confirmed, with future video evidence hopefully providing the answers.
Can you believe this is Philadelphia, USA?? Looters hit multiple stores & targeted the Apple Store for the iPhone 15 Pro Max & more. Cops finally stepped in to stop the loot #Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/aHOmfmLBcd
— Rosy (@rose_k01) September 27, 2023
Despite making out of the Apple Store with several iPhones and iPads, it is never prudent to steal demo units from a retail outlet, as Ian Zelbo has shown on X that the people who were filming the crime, revealed that the stolen units were playing an alarm tone and were remotely locked. One of the images of the stolen iPhone also shows a green light status, suggesting that the thieves’ activities might be remotely recorded to relay information to the police, just in case they were successful and had to seek refuge in their hideout.
Notably, the green status light means that they are being filmed pic.twitter.com/Lghch2Uey9
— Ian Zelbo (@ianzelbo) September 27, 2023
Police also said there was a boatload of iPhones and iPads scattered on the ground, so it is possible that the thieves knew that the merchandise was useless and had to abandon the loot. After a demo unit from an Apple Store outlet has been picked up without permission, the device can also display a warning that reads, ‘This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.’
What is wrong with people?
In Philadelphia last night, a bunch of people break into an Apple Store and take all of the iPhone 15s.
With sirens blaring, they then run out only to realize that all of the iPhones have been disabled and they may be being tracked.
So what do they… pic.twitter.com/BxQdI0BhZF
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) September 27, 2023
The only time thieves can successfully sell a disabled iPhone is if they meet the customer face-to-face, with the handset powered off, and make an excuse that the battery ran out. Even then, the customer will want surety that they are receiving an expensive paperweight for their troubles. Either this or those thieves can disassemble the iPhone and sell the loose parts. In any case, it is painful to watch these stores getting ransacked, but thankfully, Apple has a solid contingency in place.
News Source: NBC News
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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