Thieves steal dozens of iPhones from Apple Store in Canada

By

Chinook Apple Store
Apple Store was robbed Saturday night.
Photo: Apple

A group of thieves robbed an Apple Store in Canada over the weekend, making off with dozens of iPhones.

The incident took place at the Apple Store in Calgary’s Chinook Center on Saturday night. The thieves were captured on surveillance video. However, they were able to get away with the stolen handsets.

iPhone thieves took dozens of devices

“We had seven males run into the Apple Store and steal a number of iPhones on display and quickly leave the store again,” said Paul Teworte, a spokesperson for Calgary police.

The thieves wore sunglasses and hooded sweatshirts. The police have so far released no description.

Teworte offered a warning to people in the area buying second-hand iPhones. “When purchasing used cell phones, specifically those sold online through a social media platform or a buy and sell site, always ask for the [International Mobile Equipment Identity, or IMEI] number,” Teworte said. “Oftentimes, when a potential buyer asks the seller for an IMEI number, if the phone is stolen oftentimes the seller will simply not respond.”

Thieves targeting Apple Stores

Thieves frequently target Apple Stores. At the start of last month, thieves stole more than $200,000 worth of iPhones from an Australian Apple Store. In August, an Apple Store in the San Francisco Bay Area was meanwhile targeted in a snatch-and-grab robbery in which 16 iPhones were stolen.

The most significant spate of Apple Store robberies took place in California in 2018. These resulted in the theft of more than $1 million worth of devices. Police ultimately arrested a gang of 17 people.

Source: CBC

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