Tens of thousands of dollars in electronics were stolen from the downtown Palo Alto Apple store over the weekend, police said Monday.
The first theft occurred on Saturday shortly after 7 p.m. Eight black males between the ages of 16 to 25 in hoodies entered the store at 340 University Ave. where they grabbed new demo iPhones and various other electronics collectively valued at about $57,000, according to Palo Alto police Agent Sal Madrigal. The group fled in multiple vehicles.
The store was burglarized less than 11 hours later. A passerby called police around 5:50 a.m. Sunday to report the store's front glass door was smashed, he said.
Investigators determined the burglar or burglars entered the store by shattering the door with either river rocks or coconut-sized boulders, Madrigal said. iPhones, iPads and other items valued at less than $10,000 were stolen.
None of the suspects have been identified or arrested in either incident, Madrigal said.
Anyone with information about either theft is asked to call the department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to [email protected] or sent by text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the police's free mobile app, downloadable at bit.ly/PAPD-AppStore or bit.ly/PAPD-GooglePlay.
Comments
Downtown North
on Sep 25, 2018 at 11:42 am
on Sep 25, 2018 at 11:42 am
The continued robberies at the University Avenue Apple store are beginning to pose a threat to public safety. Sooner or later a customer will be tempted to intervene as a crime is occurring, thus exposing himself / herself to injury from one or more of the criminals. (That would set up one colossal lawsuit because of Apple's failure to post adequate security personnel and adopt protective measures.) What is the store security team doing to prevent these brazen broad-daylight acts? It's on the edge of making me afraid to shop there any more.
Barron Park
on Sep 25, 2018 at 11:53 am
on Sep 25, 2018 at 11:53 am
Where is the security alarm that should activate if a window is shattered? It seems bizarre that it was a passerby that had to alert the PAPD about the burglary...
Old Palo Alto
on Sep 25, 2018 at 1:07 pm
on Sep 25, 2018 at 1:07 pm
"Where is the security alarm that should activate if a window is shattered? It seems bizarre that it was a passerby that had to alert the PAPD about the burglary..."
Apple didn't pay their alarm permit...
Crescent Park
on Sep 25, 2018 at 2:11 pm
on Sep 25, 2018 at 2:11 pm
[Post removed.]
another community
on Sep 25, 2018 at 8:06 pm
on Sep 25, 2018 at 8:06 pm
Apple should take actions to prevent those burglary, or at least train the staff and station more security measures to scare off burglars. Otherwise, their sitting there doing nothing encourages burglars, while charges premium to their customers. That’s not social responsible.
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Sep 25, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Registered user
on Sep 25, 2018 at 8:25 pm
@ Sophie - This is just a little income redistribution, no worries.
Palo Verde
on Sep 26, 2018 at 3:09 am
on Sep 26, 2018 at 3:09 am
Lessons from Lululemon 100 yards up the street. Even our banks get robbed.
Sorry to say, I'd rather that it happens to these businesses than to me.
Be careful what you wish for. Imagine there was no place left to rob but your home.
University South
on Sep 26, 2018 at 8:22 am
on Sep 26, 2018 at 8:22 am
The retail merchandise and front window were insured. No loss to Apple or its stockholders.
High-end/status-oriented goods are always prone to theft and there will always be a market for them.
No solutions in sight except don't buy stolen goods (even is the price is right) and have better security provisions at the store.
> @ Sophie - This is just a little income redistribution, no worries.
Yes. The poor and/or displaced robbing from the wealthy to make ends meet. It's been going on for centuries.
Downtown North
on Sep 26, 2018 at 10:53 am
on Sep 26, 2018 at 10:53 am
This is happening to Apple stores so frequently now, that I am shocked that the company is not doing more to protect its employees from violence. Sure the products and building are insured, but how do you reimburse employees after violent attacks. Even if the company orders employees to get out of the way when these burglaries happen, the events are so chaotic that something is bound to happen. Didn't Apple promise to disable their products to make them valueless to thieves?
another community
on Sep 26, 2018 at 12:21 pm
on Sep 26, 2018 at 12:21 pm
> High-end/status-oriented goods are always prone to theft and there will always be a market for them.
Probably why we rarely hear of Samsung/LG cell phone related thefts.
The same goes with watches. People steal Rolexes...rarely a Timex.
The material world is very focused on labels and perceptions of affluence.
No wonder certain items are more prone to theft than others.
Some people are all for show. Plastic people at best.
Palo Verde
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:17 pm
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:17 pm
>> "The poor and/or displaced robbing from the wealthy to make ends meet."
Nonsense. These robberies are for kicks and excitement. Status. A challenge. A game.
I would not say this about shoplifting a loaf of bread.
Downtown North
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:17 pm
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:17 pm
Thieves steal Apple products because they are very easy to resell. I do not know why Apple product buyers are more willing to buy stolen goods than other brand buyers.
Evergreen Park
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:43 pm
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:43 pm
>>Thieves steal Apple products because they are very easy to resell.
At a 100% mark-up regardless of asking price.
In terms of profit margins, it's the best business model in the universe.
>>>I would not say this about shoplifting a loaf of bread.
Jean Valjean would agree.
Registered user
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Registered user
on Sep 26, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Palo Alto is now suffering now the problems that large urban areas suffer. The mindset has been that urbanization, or "vibrancy", which Liz Kniss is fond of using, is the best thing for Palo Alto. PAF and likeminded even suggest that Palo Alto would atrophy and die unless it agrees to a gigantic urbanization wave. Well, guess what, urbanizati
Palo Alto is now riddled with daily crime. Not the same type of crime EPA and E. Oakland are experiencing, but it is far from being safe anymore. Those who so desire urbanization and massive development are getting their wish, but remember the old saying:Be careful what you wish for.
Meadow Park
on Sep 26, 2018 at 8:20 pm
on Sep 26, 2018 at 8:20 pm
That is police job to catch the thieves.
"The group fled in multiple vehicles."
Could the police get the license number of the vehicles from security camera? or there is no camera around the store or shopping mall? Don't believe it.
another community
on Sep 27, 2018 at 8:47 am
on Sep 27, 2018 at 8:47 am
Checked Palo Alto PD’s Twitter account Web Link They seem didn’t bother to call for witnesses.
Nothing seemed happening. All is good and well. Are they supposed to do something?
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Sep 27, 2018 at 8:59 am
Registered user
on Sep 27, 2018 at 8:59 am
Smash & steal burglaries are a common occurrence when it come to high-end, desirable merchandise (i.e. home electronics, jewelry/watches, Apple products etc.).
It's the sign of the times...with a few exceptions, everyone seems to be striving to appear upwardly-mobile in their appearances.
We live in a Veblen-oriented world.
Barron Park
on Sep 27, 2018 at 12:40 pm
on Sep 27, 2018 at 12:40 pm
> This is happening to Apple stores so frequently now, that I am shocked that the company is not doing more to protect its employees from violence.
All they need to do is hire some retired Blackwater security staff and add a couple of Dobermans for pursuit purposes.
End of crime sprees.