A video showcasing a daring daytime theft at the Apple Store on Bay Street in Emeryville has ignited social media, highlighting ongoing concerns about retail crime in the Bay Area. The incident, which took place on Monday, February 5th, was captured and shared by the TikTok account “Unlimited_ls,” showing a thief brazenly stealing approximately 50 iPhone display models. The video quickly spread across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), drawing widespread attention to the Emeryville Apple Store and the broader issue of retail theft.
🚨Astronaut peacefully stealing iPhones from Apple Store in Oakland, California pic.twitter.com/9kzF6nz0zY
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) February 7, 2024
In the viral video, the individual is seen calmly grabbing floor model iPhones from multiple display tables within the Apple Store Bay Street Emeryville. He then proceeds to stuff the devices into his pants as employees appear to stand by, adhering to store policy not to engage with thieves to prevent escalation. After accumulating a significant haul, the thief is seen running past what appears to be an Emeryville police decoy vehicle to a getaway car, a black Hyundai sedan illegally double-parked outside the Apple Store.
While many initial reports and social media shares incorrectly identified the location as Oakland, it was indeed the Apple Store located on Bay Street in Emeryville. Notably, Oakland, despite its size in the Bay Area, does not have its own Apple Store. This incident further amplifies the narrative surrounding crime in the East Bay, especially after Oakland’s recent challenges, including the closure of popular establishments like In-N-Out Burger and Denny’s due to rising crime rates along the Hegenberger corridor.
This surge in retail theft across the region has prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to take action, deploying 120 California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers to Oakland and the wider East Bay area to combat the escalating problem. The high visibility of these crimes, often captured and shared online, is contributing to increased pressure on local officials, with recall efforts gaining momentum as residents express frustration over perceived lenient law enforcement and repeat offenders.
Exterior view of Apple Store Bay Street Emeryville with people walking by
The incident at the Emeryville Apple Store Bay Street raises numerous questions about the security of retail locations and the resale value and traceability of these stolen floor models. Experts suggest these iPhones are likely to be sold online to unsuspecting buyers, shipped internationally, or dismantled for valuable components like screens, which are sought after by third-party repair shops. Apple Store employees are reportedly trained to prioritize safety and avoid confrontation during such thefts, a policy designed to protect both staff and customers from potential harm.
In response to repeated incidents, some local residents are proposing more drastic measures, such as closing sections of Bay Street to vehicular traffic to deter getaway vehicles and enhance pedestrian safety around retail locations like the Apple Store Emeryville.
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
Adding to the concern, KRON4 anchor Dan Thorn shared a report of a separate incident at the Apple Store on Bay Street in Emeryville just days prior, indicating a pattern of theft at this location. Emeryville Police Chief Jeff Jennings acknowledged the issue, stating the department is allocating overtime resources to the Bay Street Apple Store when staffing allows and collaborating with other agencies to apprehend the suspects involved in these thefts.
The Apple Store in Emeryville had recently reopened on January 8th after a five-month closure for renovations, only to become a frequent target for theft shortly after. Reports indicate that the store has been hit by similar incidents at least four times in the four weeks following its reopening, suggesting a concerning trend.
The neighboring Apple Store on Berkeley’s 4th Street has also experienced a surge in retail theft, with The Berkeley Scanner reporting five incidents in January alone. Chief Jennings confirmed that the Berkeley location was targeted again recently, but in this instance, a police pursuit ensued, resulting in the arrest of three suspects, as 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
Further details regarding the arrest of the three suspects in connection to the Berkeley Apple Store theft are available from The Berkeley Scanner. These repeated thefts at Apple Stores in both Emeryville and Berkeley underscore the challenges retailers are facing in the current environment and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address organized retail crime in the Bay Area.
This report clarifies that these incidents are classified as “theft” rather than “robbery” as no force was used during the commission of these crimes. The estimated number of iPhones stolen in the most recent Emeryville incident has also been updated.
