Apple Crime Log: iPhone in a Porsche, Yoga Bandits, and a $37K Door Smash
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It’s once again time to take a deep dive into the latest Apple-related crime stories. In this edition, a scammer uses a fake Apple security alert to scam an elderly woman, a Queens duo goes on an Apple Store shoplifting spree, a Macau man attacks an Apple Store’s front door, and more.
iPhone Left in Porsche Leads Cops to Scammer
An iPhone left in a Porsche helped lead cops to a New York man wanted in a $28,000 identity theft scam, according to a report from CTInsider.
An 80-year-old Connecticut woman was targeted by the financial fraud scheme in late 2024 when a scummy individual tried to convince her that her Social Security number had been compromised, and that she would be required to pay $27,975, in cash left in a shoebox, to get a new one.
According to police, an investigation began in October 2024 when the elderly woman reported the scam, which began with a text message notifying her of an “Apple Security” alert with a number to call. When she called the number, she was provided with a second phone number that was supposedly for the Federal Trade Commission.
A man claiming to be “Officer Sam Wilson” then gave the victim the instructions, the warrant explained. The “Officer” — whom the victim believed had a Chinese accent — informed her that her personal information had been compromised and that “they would need to create a new Social Security number and identity, but this would require payment.”
Police say a witness provided a license plate number of a white Porsche used in the scam. They tracked the Porsche to New York City and recovered an iPhone that linked Zhang to the crimes.
Jing Song Zhang, 46, Flushing, New York, was charged with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny and was held in custody in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
Duo Arrested for Stealing Accessories from Apple Store and ALO Yoga
Two perps from Queens apparently have been hit with charges over the theft of $9,000 in items from two different northern New Jersey malls. The men first stole yoga gear from the ALO Yoga store at the American Dream Mall and later visited the Garden State Plaza Apple Store to make off with items from the store’s accessories area, reports TAPinto.
Police say Jordan A. Vasquez, 45, and Fabian Andres Suarez Garcia, 44, stole $3,468 worth of gear from the ALO Yoga store at the American Dream Mall. The dynamic duo was later spotted at the Garden State Plaza Apple Store, strolling down the store’s accessory aisle, where a police detective witnessed them helping themselves to items they did not intend to pay for.
Police later found ten accessories they say were stolen from the Apple Store in their vehicle, valued at $920.95, along with thousands of dollars in additional stolen gear. The pair were charged with shoplifting, retail theft, and receiving stolen property.
AirTag Helps Recover Stolen Food Trailer
A Newport News, Virginia, man who had his food trailer stolen decided to take matters into his own hands, tracking the stolen rig thanks to an AirTag he had hidden inside.
According to WAVY Norfolk, the victim returned home from an overnight job, only to discover his trailer was gone. When he reported the theft to the police, they said it would take “a couple of days” to investigate. (After all, the “Hot Donuts” sign had just lit up at the local Krispy Kreme!)
“I said, no, I’m going to give you a couple of hours,” Duchane Heard said. “Went on my phone, tracked it down, got in the car, drove out here, found it.”
Heard followed the signal to a residence in Chesapeake. Heard then wisely contacted the Chesapeake Police Department, who arrested 45-year-old Ryan Ashley Loper, charging him with possession of stolen property.
Cops say they also recovered items that are believed to be stolen from another city.
Macau Man Arrested Over Damage to Apple Store on iPhone Launch Day
A man accused of damaging a door at the Apple Store in Macau on iPhone launch day was arrested after he had fled to mainland China and then attempted to re-enter Macau, according to the Macau Daily Times.
Judiciary Police (PJ) said the man picked up a “30-centimeter iron rod” and a brick, then used them to attack the door of the Apple Store. Video of the attack, which showed the shirtless man, circulated on social media.
Police say the man first tried to attack the door with a brick, but the brick broke, so he switched to attacking with a metal rod. Damage to the store was estimated at about MOP 300,000 (a bit more than $37,000).
Police said they have yet to establish a motive for the attack on the defenseless door, and they can’t confirm whether it was connected to the man trying to buy the new iPhone. (Perhaps they were all out of Burgundy?)
