Thieves target shoppers leaving Apple store locations in LA

The suspects in a string of more than 100 "follow-away burglaries" "had a specific method of operation, Brown said. They stake out an Apple store and choose their target. Then they follow their prospective victims when they drive to another shop or a parking spot near their home. If computers are left unattended inside the vehicle, the thieves strike." LA Times article.

• [johnocomedy]

  seems like an easy sting to set up and catch these guys. they could use those hidden camera cadillac escalade bait cars that they park in the worst neighborhoods with keys in the ignition to entrap kids.

• [Anonymous]

  Just wanted to point out that putting empty electronics boxes in the alley (ie. new plasma tv box, or new macbook, etc) is also a good way to get your home targeted. If somebody ever knocks on your door and says, “does ____ live here? Oh, sorry I must have written the address down wrong…” then your home is being targeted and you should expect to get hit the next time you go to work.

  Oh and for the entrapment guy… stealing is stealing. Just because it is easy does not make it right.

  • [johnocomedy]

    never said stealing was right, but entrapment is also illegal. just saying perhaps the cars/cameras/crew/funds could be better appropriated in a situation like this instead of the bait cars. they would be catching thieves who are actively tracking targets with intention to steal, not creating a crime of opportunity

• [Moriarty]

  Why Apple, I wonder.

• [mundens]

  @Moriarty Because people who use Apple products have more money than sense. ^__^

• [KarateKidMcFly]

  It’s not something only happening in LA; I’ve heard of the same trick being used on people at my local Apple Store in FL. Never a good idea to leave expensive electronics in your car

• [catcubed]

  Personally, I’ve always been a slight bit terrified whenever I leave any store with a new expensive piece of electronics. in situations where I am buying anything expensive like that I plan to head straight home afterwards.

  On a side note, I’ve had a couple friends have home break-ins where the only thing that was stolen was a laptop. Laptops are really portable which thieves like.

• [IronEdithKidd]

  Gee, thanks, LA Times for providing ideas to thieves everywhere else in the country. This will start happening in my neck of the woods as of this weekend.

  • [Anonymous]

    Not to worry…no one reads the LA times anyway.