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In the latest Apple Crime Blotter, a police update on an Ohio Apple Store theft, Find My iPhone catches criminals, and the “Phantom Pooper” strikes.
The latest in an occasional AppleInsider series, looking at the world of Apple-related crime.
Man accused of breaking into Disneyland multiple times to steal iPhones
A man was arrested in late November after police say he snuck into Disneyland and was found with a bag with phones, a SIM card key, portable chargers, and a faraday bag. According to WDW News Today, the thefts were thought to be part of an organized pickpocketing ring.
One woman was able to get her stolen iPhone 14 back. The arrested man was “part of a group of people who had caught Disney’s attention from past trouble,” the report said.
After iPhone stolen, couple gets threats
It’s not rare at all for an iPhone to be stolen, or for the owner to then locate on Find My iPhone. But it doesn’t usually result in the owners getting threats from the thief.
But that happened in Florida, reports Fox 35. A woman’s phone was stolen from a mall, at which point she and her husband began tracking it with Find My iPhone.
When the woman got a new phone, they began receiving threats that “it’s going to be auctioned on the black market with your personal information. Use your identity for loans, and sales on the black market. They’ll even use your pictures of your children, pornography for extortion.”
Police seek information on Ohio Apple Store theft
A group of thieves stole more than $100,000 from the Apple Store in Beavercreek, Ohio, on January 23. Police have put out an update on the case:
iPhone evidence leads to child pornography guilty plea
A Missouri man has pled guilty to federal charges of receiving and distributing child pornography, after he was found to have viewed the materials through an iPhone app.
According to an ICE press release, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and may serve up to 20 years in federal prison.
Two involved in PA iPhone and iPad thefts sought
Police in Lancaster County, Pa., are looking into a series of iPhone and iPad thefts from AT&T and T-Mobile stores at the beginning of January. Fox 43 reports the two suspects stole three iPhone 13s, four Apple iPhone 14s, and two Apple iPads, all display items.
MacBook, Louis Vuitton bag, dog collar stolen from van
A British man’s van was stolen while he attended a therapy session, and with it his MacBook, an expensive Louis Vuitton bag, and a dog collar that belonged to a beloved former pet.
According to Echo, the 27-year-old man was returning from a therapy session when he noticed the van was missing.
iPad helps track down “con man” who stole car
A man who lied to hotel employees about having lost his valet ticket was able to grab keys and steal a car- but was ultimately tracked down thanks to an iPad that was left in it.
Hometown Source explains the car was tracked from the hotel in Bloomington, Minn., to Minneapolis and later to St. Paul. When the suspect saw the police, he threw the keys in a snowbank.
He was arrested and charged with auto theft, and also had three outstanding warrants, including one for a parole violation.
Woman wanted for Apple Watch thefts
A Texas woman is wanted for stealing two Apple Watches from a Best Buy in the Laredo area. According to LMT Online, the woman was seen on surveillance video opening Apple Watch boxes, taking the watches out, and taking them out of the store without paying.
The woman also has three pending felony arrest warrants.
“Phantom Pooper” accused in iPad theft
A thief who local police dubbed “the Phantom Pooper” is accused of breaking into an administrative office at a community center in Washington state, and stealing an iPad and laptop.
KIRO 7 reports the thief allegedly defecated at the scene, hence the nickname, but the suspect also logged on to the iPad and computer with his personal account.
