Stolen iPhones from an Apple Store Remotely Disabled, Started Blaring Alarms (indiatimes.com)
- Reference: 0178045039
- News link: https://apple.slashdot.org/story/25/06/14/0549236/stolen-iphones-from-an-apple-store-remotely-disabled-started-blaring-alarms
- Source link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/return-the-phones-apple-sends-warning-to-thieves-who-looted-iphones-during-los-angeles-riots/articleshow/121796553.cms?from=mdr
"Please return to Apple Tower Theatre. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted."
Stolen phones "were remotely locked and triggered alarms, effectively turning the devices into high-tech bait. Videos circulating online show the phones flashing the message while [2]blaring loudly, making them impossible to ignore ."
> According to LAPD Officer Chris Miller, at least three suspects were apprehended in connection to the Apple Store burglary. One woman was arrested on the spot, while two others were detained for looting.
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/return-the-phones-apple-sends-warning-to-thieves-who-looted-iphones-during-los-angeles-riots/articleshow/121796553.cms?from=mdr
[2] https://x.com/BGOnTheScene/status/1932514229271048651
Apple devices are difficult to steal (Score:5, Interesting)
Last year our office was broken into. Thieves stole a bunch of stuff, including some Apple laptops and ipads. We filed a police report, but it looked like they could not care less. I looked up the location of the devices and drove there. It was an apartment complex. I called the police. They did not want to knock on any doors and left. But it was enough to spook the thieves. They drove off after the police left and dumped the stolen equipment 10 miles away. I was able to recover almost all of our equipment, including several Windows laptops that were not trackable.
Re:Apple devices are difficult to steal (Score:5, Interesting)
Everywhere I've lived, cops are generally utterly disinterested in property crime unless the victim is connected, the loss is huge or the media gets interested.
[1]Less than 10% [ppic.org] are cleared in California now, and yes, they used to be better at it.
I'd say "demand better politicians who will demand better cops", but, hey, we're speedrunning the authoritarian shithole path (we are on to political assassinations as of today), so, uh, that ship has sailed.
[1] https://www.ppic.org/blog/a-large-proportion-of-crime-goes-unsolved-in-california/
If it makes you feel better (Score:2, Interesting)
As we convert our prisons into slave labor camps I suspect they will become very interested in minor property crime.
Of course I don't think anyone is going to like the knock-on effects of that. Especially if you get accused. Heck it would be pretty easy to make somebody go away just by planting a stolen iPhone on them at that point.
Re: (Score:2)
> As we convert our prisons into slave labor camps I suspect they will become very interested in minor property crime.
you mean like since the (18)60s?
Re: (Score:2)
Who is "we"? And nobody wants slave labor in an automated future.
Re: If it makes you feel better (Score:2)
> And nobody wants slave labor in an automated future.
Not the "sharpest bulb". The robots will clean your house, cook your food and wash your flying jetson-like car.
Re: (Score:1)
Has Trump condemned the violence yet? Or has he posted some juvenile meme to celebrate it? My money is on the latter.
Re: (Score:2)
Look at the United Healthcare CEO shooting. A nationwide manhunt with dozens of agencies involved. Days later two teenagers were stabbed on the street after being asked if they spoke English. I bet the case is still open. [1]https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/... [go.com]
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/migrant-teens-stabbed-nyc-1-fatally-after-asked/story?id=116523495
Re: (Score:2)
It's still open; police have only arrested two of the three suspects:
[1]https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/... [go.com]
[2]https://www.nydailynews.com/20... [nydailynews.com]
Note that the second story makes it clear that this flight was because of gang affiliations, not because of xenophobia. See also [3]https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/... [nypost.com] .
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/migrant-teens-stabbed-nyc-1-fatally-after-asked/story?id=116523495
[2] https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/27/arrest-stabbed-death-migrants-gangs-city-hall-park-yeremi-colino/
[3] https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/us-news/tren-de-aragua-linked-diablos-gang-vows-revenge-after-teen-fatally-stabbed-in-nyc-street-brawl-cops/
Re: (Score:2)
> Everywhere I've lived, cops are generally utterly disinterested in property crime unless the victim is connected, the loss is huge or the media gets interested. Less than 10% are cleared in California now, and yes, they used to be better at it.
We used to prosecute it. That's part of the feedback loop too.
Re: (Score:2)
> Everywhere I've lived, cops are generally utterly disinterested in property crime unless the victim is connected, the loss is huge or the media gets interested.
> [1]Less than 10% [ppic.org] are cleared in California now, and yes, they used to be better at it.
> I'd say "demand better politicians who will demand better cops", but, hey, we're speedrunning the authoritarian shithole path (we are on to political assassinations as of today), so, uh, that ship has sailed.
Kind of a waste investigating property crimes if there are no legal consequences. What do you think is the message to the cop who arrests the same person for the same thing over and over again? Maybe this is not where our efforts are best spent?
[1] https://www.ppic.org/blog/a-large-proportion-of-crime-goes-unsolved-in-california/
Re: (Score:2)
A friend lost his iPhone to a pickpocket in Paris a couple of years back (can't remember when) and when he got back home he checked its location. Sofia, Bulgaria. No chance of getting that back.
As for an office break-in, around 15-17 years ago the company I was working for upgraded everything from Windows NT4 (really!) to Windows XP. The whole thing was handled by subcontracters and they were very active for a couple of days. The next day I came into the office at 7 am and started work normally, a few m
Re: (Score:2)
Too bad that Apple doesn't offer the same disable/blaring alarm service to people who have their phone stolen.
Re: (Score:2)
If you want tracking on Windows laptops, Lenovo and Dell both offer it. Probably HP as well.
I'm not sure how useful this will be for iPhones though. Aren't they generally broken down for parts?
Re: (Score:2)
> If you want tracking on Windows laptops, Lenovo and Dell both offer it. Probably HP as well.
> I'm not sure how useful this will be for iPhones though. Aren't they generally broken down for parts?
And people wonder why Apple electronically Serializes some Components. . .
Re: (Score:1)
> Last year our office was broken into. Thieves stole a bunch of stuff, including some Apple laptops and ipads. We filed a police report, but it looked like they could not care less. I looked up the location of the devices and drove there. It was an apartment complex. I called the police. They did not want to knock on any doors and left. But it was enough to spook the thieves. They drove off after the police left and dumped the stolen equipment 10 miles away. I was able to recover almost all of our equipment, including several Windows laptops that were not trackable.
That's an excellent example on how the tracking capabilities of modern technology can work for us. Now, if only we can find ways to keep it from working against us.
I recall watching a movie where some thugs crash a party where a bunch of rich people were and he demanded everyone hand over wallets, jewelry, and cell phones. That movie was from 1995, and even with the movie that old I thought the phones back then would have the ability for remote disabling. I'm pretty sure that is the case. With 30 years
Re: (Score:2)
> That's an excellent example on how the tracking capabilities of modern technology can work for us. Now, if only we can find ways to keep it from working against us.
This type of tech requires that the company involved isn't, and doesn't become, evil. Because if they can remotely turn off your iPhone if it's stolen, they can also remotely turn it off if you owe them money for something unrelated, or if they don't like your politics. There's that thing about giving up liberty to gain security and all that.
> ... With 30 years of cell phones being disabled remotely would not looters know not to steal them by now? ...
Looters mostly aren't thinking or strategizing in the moment. A business for which I do IT was looted in the George Floyd peaceful protests. I was involved in proce
Duh? (Score:1)
Has Apple considered that with the first alert the iPhone gets dumped in the ocean? Satisfying yes, but it won't lead to the recovery of all their property.
Re: (Score:2)
It's not really about recovery. It's about denying benefits to thieves.
Re: (Score:2)
What did Apple steal? You don't like their terms, you can always pick up a [1]Jitterbug Flip2 [bestbuy.com].
[1] https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lively-jitterbug-flip2-cell-phone-for-seniors-red/6538307.p?skuId=6538307
Re: Duh? (Score:1)
What benefits were the January 6th criminal insurrectionists denied?
Re: (Score:1)
What the fuck does that have to do with stealing phones from Apple?
Re: (Score:3)
To Apple, recovery of the stolen iphones may be less important than advertising loud and clear that these things are not worth stealing.
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Making the stolen phone worthless is what they want.
And from the video, the thieves did not get farther than across the street. No time to reach the ocean, or even a storm drain.
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If only the iPhones had GPS and some kind of wifi built in - then they could remotely report their location and forward it to the police.
If only.
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Well, in this case, it was dumped on the sidewalk ready for the recovery by the cops... [1]Stolen iPhones Trigger Alarms After LA Apple Store Looting [youtube.com]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oFeb1pNpMq8
Re: (Score:2)
You don’t say. [1]https://www.ft.com/content/ead... [ft.com]
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/ead914c8-2748-42a3-9d80-13edd2dc1885
Re: (Score:2)
But they were charged with violations of LÃse-majesté laws (or Lese-majeste for Slashdot). It's OK to break the windows of your peers to make a statement (although the only statement I can parse out of that is "I hate plate glass"). You don't dare speak out against a monarch on his progress toward the day of ordination.
And all this on "No Kings' day.
Re: (Score:1)
Yeah. Because stealing phones and setting cars on fire is "speaking out".
Re: (Score:1)
> You don’t say.
Oh, but I DO say!
prosecute (Score:2)
> "According to LAPD Officer Chris Miller, at least three suspects were apprehended in connection to the Apple Store burglary. One woman was arrested on the spot, while two others were detained for looting."
And will any of them actually be prosecuted and punished? Or will officials make all kinds of nonsense excuses for them?
Re: (Score:2)
The phones belong to Apple. What do you think?
Re: (Score:2)
> And will any of them actually be prosecuted and punished? Or will officials make all kinds of nonsense excuses for them?
Arresting people is most of the work. Typically when someone is arrested for a property crime a prosecution follows. If the police actually didn't care, they wouldn't have gone there in the first place.
Re: (Score:2)
No it literally doesn't. Not as far as individual departments are concerned. Prosecuting people involves the prosecution office, the evidence for which in a case like this is trivial. There's no complex detective work, no complex case, it's literally just file the paperwork and the brief from the police to the court and show up.
Re: prosecute (Score:2)
Trump is ready to pardon as long as they say he won the 2020 election and wear an ugly, stupid hat.
What color were the phones? (Score:2)
Arrest Me Black?
Re: What color were the phones? (Score:2)
Robbed Ruby or Vanished Violet.
Re: What color were the phones? (Score:2)
...or Nicked Nickel
Re: (Score:2)
Purloined Purple, Stolen Silver and Burglary Blue.
My understanding is that most of the work phones issued to LA City political staffers is in Retard Red for easy identification.
If only (Score:2)
Apple could do this for its customers paying them thousands of dollars for their goods and services.
Re: (Score:2)
If only. But it appears not. Apple was already paid for those phones. So, why give a sh*t anymore?
Sad, but [1]this [theregister.com] take on the problem implies that theft and resale is (among certain political camps) considered to be a way to place digital technology into the hands of third world customers who would otherwise remain unconnected.
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/09/opinion_column_blocking/
Re: If only (Score:2)
You want your phone to go into lockdown and sound alarms when you remove it from an Apple Store too?
Heartwarming (Score:2)
I love stories about smart tech vs. dumb thugs. On a much larger scale, that's also what's been happening this year in the Middle East.
Re: (Score:2)
Amen.
It's all fine and dandy until you get hacked (Score:2)
While I enjoy thieves getting what they deserve...I worry about them undersecuring this functionality and some hacker turns my iPhone into a remote alarm because I connect to a public WiFi or my kid visits the wrong website.
Looting (Score:1, Funny)
They're peaceful protests, really.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
So was Jan 6th. [1]https://www.npr.org/2024/10/29... [npr.org]
So peaceful that orange jesus had to pardon everyone involved.
[1] https://www.npr.org/2024/10/29/nx-s1-5159868/2024-election-trump-harris-capitol-riot
Re: Looting (Score:4, Insightful)
To be fair, you have masked agents of government yanking people off the street with no due process, just a 'trust me they are bad people'.
The resulting violence is a predictable outcome
Re: (Score:1)
So why are they targeting Apple?
Re: Looting (Score:2)
It's not about apple. It's about creating the circumstances that trigger looting in the first place.
Re: (Score:3)
Ah, you must mean cities.
Re: (Score:1)
You don't understand, looting Apple and Nike store is just a form of reparations for white colonial cisnormative patriarchical ablelist oppression.
Re: (Score:2)
> You don't understand, looting Apple and Nike store is just a form of reparations for white colonial cisnormative patriarchical ablelist oppression.
You forgot fascocapitalist. :-)
Re: Looting (Score:2)
I don't get it. Are we only allowed to denounce one of them?
Re: (Score:2)
> I don't get it. Are we only allowed to denounce one of them?
Correct, the one not committed by your team. :-)
Re: Looting (Score:2)
I don't even know what team I'm supposed to be on. Generally I consider myself to be very liberal, but that refers to enlightenment era liberalism, which during the french revolution generally meant you sat on the left side of the room. Except those guys would guillotine anybody who either looked rich or just plain wasn't enthusiastic enough about Maxmillan Robespierre, so they probably would have guillotined me. But for whatever reason people still insist on that terminology, which never had any relevance
Western liberalism ... (Score:2)
> I don't even know what team I'm supposed to be on.
Ask a college student. :-)
> Generally I consider myself to be very liberal, but that refers to enlightenment era liberalism
I'm down with liberalism in the sense of western liberalism. For you college students out there, western liberalism is founded upon European, North African, Middle Eastern, and Persian philosophies. I pass on the Soviet reimagining of liberalism popular with the college professors. Again, for the college student readers out there, academia, like the internet, has trolls too. It's just that in academia they are better paid and an audience is provided.
Re: Looting (Score:2)
As long as you admit that the January 6th criminals are one and the same. I guess all the 3 looters needed to do was say trump won the election and wear a stupid outfit and they can crime away with no consequences.
Re: Looting (Score:2)
What would I admit to? I've been saying this the entire time. The only dissenting opinion I've ever had about this is referring to it as a siege or an insurrection, I've always referred to it as a riot based on stupid conspiracy theories.
Re: (Score:3)
> As long as you admit that the January 6th criminals are one and the same. I guess all the 3 looters needed to do was say trump won the election and wear a stupid outfit and they can crime away with no consequences.
Yup. And he wants to arrest and prosecute the (actually very few) people who caused (are causing) trouble in LA, so the lesson here is: Wear MAGA stuff and limit your looting, rioting, and property destruction to The Capital building, in DC, then sit back and wait for the pardon ...
For white-collar crimes: Get your mom to donate $1M to Trump and attend Mar-a-Lago dinner, and get pardoned: [1]Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mom Attended $1M Mar-a-Lago Dinner [thedailybeast.com]
[1] https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-pardoned-tax-cheat-after-mom-attended-1m-mar-a-lago-dinner/