Paranoia Looms After Apple Store Shoppers Targeted By Follow Home Thieves

[Michael Essany]

A story first reported by the LA Times last week has resurfaced again today with additional - but unverified - reports emerging that some Apple Store shoppers are being followed home by would-be thieves. According to the initial report, approximately one hundred recent burglaries have been linked to individuals who just returned from shopping trips to Apple's retail stores in and around Los Angeles.

The blogosphere has begun buzzing again this week with reports of "suspicious characters" similarly following home Apple shoppers - but now such reports have begun appearing outside of Los Angeles. Are these reports legit or just instances of paranoia taking hold after the recent wave of "follow-home" burglaries. After all, for now, there haven't been widespread cases of similar burglaries elsewhere, only "concerns" that a comparable crime wave could impact other metropolitan communities.

From the LA Times:

Last month, the Orange County district attorney's office charged three Los Angeles residents -- Garzon Diaz, Louis Lopez and John Rodriguez -- with burglary and grand theft in connection with 28 cases in which thieves broke into vehicles and stole computers from customers who had visited Apple retail stores.

Last year, there was no shortage of attempted burglaries at physical Apple Stores around the country. While most were foiled and led to arrests, some law enforcement officials suspect that since the retail outlets have proven difficult to penetrate by thieves, customers may be the next best option for burglarizing - particularly those that leave an Apple Store carrying a large and potentially expensive package.

But law enforcement officials said despite the arrests in Orange County, they believe these follow-away burglaries are the work of a larger ring that has taken more than 100 computers in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties.

For now, paranoia seems to be taking hold more than concrete evidence of a widespread or growing problem. But anyone shopping at Apple or a similar electronics outlet should always be mindful of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to reduce the likelihood of being followed and consequently victimized.

Image via NY Daily News

[StealthBravo]

it's clever

[RonHC]

Let me take out my key and turn you on

On Topic: thats just wrong

[hollow0]

anyone shopping at Apple or a similar electronics outlet should always be mindful of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to reduce the likelihood of being followed and consequently victimized.

Exactly! Also, one should not leave their Apple computer or any computer in their car while they shop. If you plan on buying a computer, get what you need first and purchase the system last so that you'll be on your way home right after purchase.

[shagster40]

My friend gor robbed this way..

[mikef]

hence the reason i carry a gun! take my stuff, i take your life

[xwinger]

hence the reason i carry a gun! take my stuff, i take your life

lmao

and go to jail

[gQstatus05]

Lol @ take your life. I remember when the Wii first came out some kid in my town got a falcon punch while walking home with it. They stole it and his money. The kid was like 13 years old.

[hancoma]

Please follow me home, break into my house! Unless the laws have changed I can legally kill you in Texas in my house. Lots of aggression I need to take out!

[aekhamsouk]

lmao

and go to jail

why would he go to jail? these robbers are most likely using some sort of weapon. come at me with a weapon, wanting my and you'll get a bullet in the face, end of story.

it's the american way...

[VenomousSVT]

why would he go to jail? these robbers are most likely using some sort of weapon. come at me with a weapon, wanting my and you'll get a bullet in the face, end of story.

it's the american way...

ignorance at its best.


i am all or and eye for an eye but be reasonable.. talking like a bada$$ doesnt make you look like a bada$$ when its over something so ignorant.

[creasy425]

Killing some potential thief is kinda harsh......kneecapping them on the other hand is totally justified.

[Luppin]

ignorance at its best.


i am all or and eye for an eye but be reasonable.. talking like a bada$$ doesnt make you look like a bada$$ when its over something so ignorant.

How is he ignorant? I'm sorry, but while you're on the ground getting stabbed for something valuable that you have with you, I'll be 50 feet away beating the crap out of whoever's assaulting me with any weapon within arm's reach.

[thevmax]

How is he ignorant? I'm sorry, but while you're on the ground getting stabbed for something valuable that you have with you, I'll be 50 feet away beating the crap out of whoever's assaulting me with any weapon within arm's reach.

There is always someone bigger and tougher than you.
If they have a gun, and you don't have the time to disarm them,
you may lose your life or become a paraplegic because of your grandstanding...over some item? Is it worth it?

[Melech518]

Oh no, the Concealed Weapons debate all over again....

First, Once I leave the Apple store I go straight home always to make sweet love to my new iDevice

Second, These thieves have StealthBravo written all over it

[jeffhesser]

it's just like following someone from an expensive botique or jewlery store, only difference is a sealed or new apple is much easier to sell for a premium than a diamond. plus walking out of an apple store makes it easy to tell if you got something small or something very valuable.

[KartRacer]

lmao

and go to jail

No you don't. If someone is going to jump you and steal your stuff and if you can show that you felt your life was threatened you can shoot someone. If more people severely injured dirtbag thieves this kind of crap wouldn't happen. No one will assure your safety and the safety of your property but you. Police are there to collect info on the victim and call the coroner for the dead. If you're too lazy to protect yourself and your property I don't feel sorry for you in the least.

This has happened alot at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta over the past few months. I wish someone would try and rob me. I'd do what the corrupt justice system in this country won't, punish the criminal and not the victim.

Killing some potential thief is kinda harsh......kneecapping them on the other hand is totally justified.

Problem you don't realize is you don't know if they'll kill you or not to get your stuff.

There is always someone bigger and tougher than you.
If they have a gun, and you don't have the time to disarm them,
you may lose your life or become a paraplegic because of your grandstanding...over some item? Is it worth it?

Yeah, cause it's mine and some scumbag isn't going to take it away from me. You don't value your belongings, I do. It's as simple as that. One less scumbag stealing things is one less potential murder in a dark parking lot, or one less chance for a home invasion where they kill the occupants.

[matthew1111]

hence the reason i carry a gun! take my stuff, i take your life

Same here, plus I live in TX, where if theyre on your property you can shoot them if they threaten you.

[shadow25]

I can't believe what society has turned into..

"Its just stuff!"
No, its not. How do you pay for your stuff? You worked for the money to buy your stuff, so when something is stolen, they stole a piece of your life.

Your $200 iPhone? Making $20/hr, thats more than 10 hours of your life. Then the time to earn money to replace it

People need to quit giving in and fight back. Most criminals contiune what they do because there is a very small percentage of people that will actually do anything. They know if they get caught (which is rarely) its a slap on the wrist!

fyi, most "criminals" out there, don't carry a weapon on them, they rely on look and acting tough.

I'm getting carried away, I hate people who would rather get **** on then stand up and do whatevers nessacary to stop people.

Pretty simple, you don't need a gun or a knife. Go with a couple friends. A criminal would go after granny walking out with a Macbook Pro before 3 25 year old guys with macbooks.

[KartRacer]

The problem is people are not standing up to scum like this. Thieves are empowered by a people that allow themselves to be violated. Funnily enough I'm the only person in my neighborhood that has a Kimber .45 doorbell. Or at least I think so, and that's the way it should be. Even law abiding citizens should be in the dark about who is willing to defend themselves with any measure possible.