Robbery at the Apple Store in Palo Alto, California

Bandits attack Apple Store with SUV and steal Mac and iPhone

A gang of robbers attacked a Kia Soul SUV at the Palo Alto, California Apple Store's storefront last Sunday morning and made off with loot of devices including several Macs and iPhones, according to a local police report.

Local authorities received a call around 4:30 a.m. that a vehicle had entered the Apple Store located at 340 University Avenue. Witnesses told police they saw several people running from the store according to The Mercury News.

When police arrived, they found another vehicle abandoned in an alley with stolen Macs and iPhones lying on the ground inside and outside. The Apple Store's camera showed that the thieves entered the store through a hole in the window at the front of the store.

Police believe 8-10 people were involved in the robbery. So far, authorities have arrested four who took part in the robbery, including 19-year-old Shaquin K. Ferguson and 18-year-old Erica Jaynisha White. The other two were 16- and 17-year-old teens, according to authorities.

The four youths were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the robbery and on charges of robbery, vandalism and conspiracy, according to the press.

Although Ferguson was under surveillance for weapons possession, none of the suspects have been linked to other Apple Store robberies in the area. Police are looking for the other 4-6 suspects, but have not reported the total cost of the stolen goods.

Robberies have become a problem in Apple Stores lately, due to the fact that the glass of the store window is easily broken. In an attempt to protect themselves, the stores have placed steel bollards in the front to prevent similar attacks from cars.

But in this particular case, the robbers crossed over the sidewalk through a neighboring store.

Robberies of this kind are not unique to Apple Stores. Another type that takes place while stores are open has become very prevalent, as was the case in a Massachusetts store in October. Another group of robbers - disguised as Apple Store employees - managed to steal 19 iPhones from another store in New York in June.

The Palo Alto store reopened Monday with boards covering the hole in the window.

See also: 19 iPhones were stolen by thieves disguised as Apple Store employees

from Elichord