A video showcasing a brazen daylight theft at the Apple Store located on Bay Street in Emeryville has ignited a flurry of discussions on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The incident, initially shared by TikTok user “Unlimited_ls”, depicts a thief confidently snatching approximately 50 iPhone demo models from display tables and concealing them in his pants as employees seemingly refrain from intervention.
Captured on video on Monday, February 5th, the footage reveals the perpetrator casually running past what appears to be an Emeryville Police vehicle, possibly a decoy, before entering a double-parked black Hyundai sedan waiting nearby.
🚨Astronaut peacefully stealing iPhones from Apple Store in Oakland, California pic.twitter.com/9kzF6nz0zY
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) February 7, 2024
Despite the widespread sharing of the video, many online accounts incorrectly identified the location as “Oakland.” It’s important to note that while Oakland is a significant city in the Bay Area, it does not host an Apple Store within its city limits. In contrast, San Jose boasts one Apple Store (Oakridge), and San Francisco is home to three (Union Square, Chestnut, and Stonestown). The incident actually occurred at the Apple Bay Street Store in Emeryville.
This theft occurs against a backdrop of increasing concerns about crime in Oakland and the wider East Bay region. Recent high-profile closures of businesses like In-N-Out Burger and Denny’s in East Oakland, attributed to escalating crime rates, have amplified these concerns.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has responded to the surge in retail theft by deploying 120 California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers to Oakland and the broader East Bay area, aiming to combat these rising crime levels.
The public exposure of these audacious thefts is contributing to growing discontent and fueling recall efforts against local officials, who are facing criticism for perceived leniency in law enforcement and the issue of repeat offenders.
Questions are being raised about the actual value of these stolen demo iPhones and the effectiveness of tracking them. Experts suggest these models are likely to be resold online to unsuspecting buyers, shipped internationally, or dismantled for valuable components like screens, which are sought after by third-party repair shops. Further reading on Apple’s approach to store theft can be found in this article.
Apple Store employees and security personnel are reportedly instructed not to physically engage with thieves to prevent potential escalations that could endanger staff or customers.
In response to these repeated incidents, some local residents are proposing measures such as restricting vehicle access to Bay Street to deter getaway vehicles and enhance security in the area surrounding the Apple Bay Street store.
Masked duo caught on camera Tuesday night stealing iPhones and MacBooks from @Apple store on Bay Street in Emeryville. pic.twitter.com/n911x6yctx
— Dan Thorn (@DanThorn_) February 1, 2024
KRON4 anchor Dan Thorn shared footage of a separate theft incident.
Emeryville Police Chief Jeff Jennings acknowledged the increased police presence at the Apple Bay Street store, stating that they are allocating overtime resources when available. “We are collaborating with other agencies to identify and apprehend the suspects,” he confirmed.
The Apple Bay Street store had recently reopened on January 8th after an unexplained five-month closure for “renovations.” In the subsequent weeks, the store has reportedly been targeted by similar theft incidents at least four times. Details of the reopening can be found here.
The Apple Store on Berkeley’s 4th Street has also experienced a surge in similar crimes, with five incidents reported in January alone, according to The Berkeley Scanner.
Chief Jennings also reported another incident at the Berkeley location, which led to a police pursuit and the arrest of three suspects, documented by the X account “FriscoLive415”.
🚁And that’s how it’s done ladies and gentlemen!!Oakland PD now has the vehicle stopped, two people are reportedly detained, “one male, one x-ray” (female)“Only 2 occupants were in the vehicle, all parties detained”Fantastic work folks… this was fun to follow!! https://t.co/RIGpfyRynd pic.twitter.com/NthTehdu5Y
— FriscoLive415 (@friscolive415) February 7, 2024
The Berkeley Scanner offers additional information regarding the arrest of these individuals.
This report clarifies that the incident is classified as “theft” rather than “robbery” due to the absence of force, and confirms the estimated number of iPhones stolen and the date of occurrence.
