A series of brazen thefts have plagued Apple Stores across California, including a significant incident at the Apple Store in Fashion Fair Mall, Fresno. Since mid-May, over 21 “grab-and-run” robberies have occurred, resulting in losses exceeding $850,000 statewide. Thieves typically rush into the stores, snatching iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks from display tables before fleeing.
On July 7th, the Apple Store Fashion Fair location was hit, with thieves making off with $27,000 worth of products. Surveillance footage captured the chaotic scene, showing stunned customers, including a group of young girls, caught in the middle of the heist.
Other notable incidents include a May 28th robbery in Rancho Cucamonga, where a customer attempted to intervene but was unsuccessful. On July 23rd, an off-duty officer was assaulted while trying to stop a theft in Costa Mesa, with the thieves escaping with $29,000 in merchandise.
The thefts continued throughout August, impacting locations in Roseville ($22,000 in losses), Thousand Oaks ($18,000), Corte Madera ($30,000), and Walnut Creek ($30,000). In some cases, bystanders and customers have attempted to intervene, sometimes leading to confrontations with the thieves.
Law enforcement is actively investigating these incidents, and some arrests have been made. The repeated nature of the thefts and the significant financial losses have raised concerns about security measures at Apple Stores and the broader issue of organized retail crime. The Apple Store Fashion Fair robbery underscores the vulnerability of retail locations to these types of fast-paced, coordinated thefts.
The string of robberies extends beyond the Fashion Fair incident, impacting numerous Apple Stores across the state. Locations in Carlsbad have been hit multiple times, and cities like San Luis Obispo, Escondido, Valencia, Bakersfield, Northridge, Santa Rosa, and Burlingame have also reported thefts. The total value of stolen goods continues to climb, highlighting the widespread nature of this criminal activity.
