The Apple Store located on 4th Street in Berkeley was once again the target of thieves, marking another incident in a string of thefts at this location. On Thursday, police responded to a report of a brazen daytime robbery at the store, continuing a troubling trend for the popular retail spot.
According to the Berkeley Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. Two male suspects entered the store and swiftly made off with a significant amount of merchandise. The preliminary report indicates that the thieves stole 16 iPhones, six iPads, and four MacBook computers before fleeing in a silver sedan. Authorities are still investigating the full details and have cautioned that the initial report is subject to change as more information becomes available.
This latest theft at the 4th Street Berkeley Apple Store follows a similar incident just the day before. On Wednesday, a single individual entered the same Apple Store, located at 1823 Fourth St., and stole an even larger quantity of iPhones, estimated to be around 75 devices. In that prior case, police were able to make quick arrests, apprehending three individuals in Oakland believed to be connected to the crime.
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The 4th street berkeley apple store has been repeatedly targeted recently. January saw a staggering five theft incidents at the same location. While two of those attempts were thwarted by security measures or police intervention, the thieves successfully stole devices in the other three instances, highlighting the store’s vulnerability to these types of crimes.
Exterior of the Apple Store on 4th Street in Berkeley, California
The problem isn’t isolated to Berkeley. The Apple Store in Emeryville, situated at Bay Street, has also experienced a surge in thefts this year. Reports indicate at least four separate theft incidents at the Emeryville location in recent weeks, as reported by The E’ville Eye, suggesting a broader pattern of Apple Store thefts in the East Bay area.
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Law enforcement is actively investigating these incidents, with Berkeley Police indicating that the same group may be responsible for multiple organized retail theft crimes targeting the 4th street berkeley apple store. The repeated thefts underscore the challenges retailers face in combating organized crime and ensuring the safety of their stores and merchandise.
Police tape outside the Berkeley Apple Store following a theft incident
The ongoing situation at the 4th street berkeley apple store and other nearby locations remains a concern for both Apple and local authorities as they work to address and prevent future thefts.
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