UPS Nabs Employees with Sting Operation Using Fake Apple Products In an inventive sting, UPS used counterfeit iPhones and AirPods to catch employees at a Florida facility suspected of stealing Apple products from packages. The operation led to the arrest of four individuals involved in a scheme to divert electronics worth about $52,000 to unauthorized addresses using "ghost labels." The suspects now face several charges including grand theft and fraud.
Citizen App Features Apple Store Theft in Ads The Citizen app, known for providing users with real-time safety and crime updates, has stirred some controversy by using footage from a notorious Apple Store theft in its online advertisements. The footage shows a thief snatching iPhones and fleeing past a decoy police car, intended to deter such incidents. This footage was captured during a February incident at the Emeryville, California, store.
Philadelphia Police Secretly Monitor With App, Lead to Exonerations An investigation by the Philadelphia Inquirer revealed that a Philadelphia Police Department narcotics unit secretly used a smartphone app to control surveillance cameras, without disclosing this in arrest reports or court testimony. This has resulted in the exoneration of numerous cases due to the department's failure to report the use of such technology and other questionable practices.
High-Value Apple Thefts and Arrests In a recent incident near Valley Fair Mall, San Jose police arrested three individuals, including a juvenile, for possessing stolen merchandise valued at $13,000, primarily consisting of Apple products. Similarly, Canadian authorities are on the lookout for suspects involved in a theft of $16,000 worth of Apple Watches from a store in Wellington County.
Family Feud Over iPhone Among Mohamed al-Fayed's Heirs In a more unusual case, the daughter of the late businessman Mohamed al-Fayed, Camilla Fayed, has been accused of stealing an iPhone from her brother, Omar Fayed. The alleged theft occurred at their family estate's gym, leading to charges against Camilla and three others, all of whom have pled not guilty.
Amazon Employee Steals Apple Watches An 18-year-old Amazon warehouse employee in Tennessee has been charged after allegedly stealing 36 Apple Watches. The theft was discovered following the findings of empty boxes during routine checks by Amazon's Loss Prevention team.
Stolen Softball Gear Recovered Thanks to AirTag In a positive turn of events, a Texas high school softball team recovered their stolen equipment with the help of an AirTag. The tracking device led police to the stolen gear in Odessa, allowing the team to retrieve their equipment just in time for a crucial playoff game, which they won.
Notorious TikTok Influencer Convicted of iPhone Theft Lastly, a British TikTok influencer known as "Mizzy" has been convicted for the theft of an iPhone 13 Pro Max last summer. Known for his controversial pranks, Mizzy faces further legal challenges with another trial scheduled for July.
Stay tuned for more updates in our next bi-weekly Apple crime report.
