Take-down at the Apple store

[longofest]

So the guys at CNet have a pretty funny story to tell. Basically, while they were picking up their test MacBook, some guy was caught red-handed trying to shoplift, and ended up getting gang-tackled. Read about it here (http://news.com.com/2061-10793_3-6073098.html).

http://i.n.com.com/i/ne/p/2006/macPhoto_001_550x413.jpg
picture is from CNet's story, and as indicated on the photo, is copyrighted. Do them a favor and visit the story by clicking on the link above.

[gekko513]

Haha, that's funny. How many are they holding him down? Four?

[Eidorian]

Is that some citizens arrest?

[yellow]

It takes "fanboiism" to a whole new level! Sweet! :)

[longofest]

For those who are into this type of thing: http://digg.com/apple/Do_NOT_try_to_steal_from_Apple_on_MacBook_release_day_(gang-tackle_pic)

[liquidh2o]

These guys crack me up! When I was off shift an individual came in and stole a display ipod... now we had our suspicions but could never do anything about it because we had no proof....

Well not more than a week later the guy comes back in... WITH the ipod! He was a little teenager and I guess couldn't afford a cable to charge it with, so he was charging it in a dock and downloading songs from an emac haha...

I approached and started engaging him about his ipod, just feeling him out and hoping for him to slip... so he finally starts to get scared and begins making up a story about how his ipod didn't come with a charging cable... so i'm like "oh yeah?? You know I think we have it in the back, and the box was left here too" at this point I expected him to leave, but I managed to convince him that if I just took his ipod to the back I could get him his box and cable....

needless to say, after he gave me the ipod, I went in back and checked the serial # against the one that was stolen, sure enough it was a match. Manager called security and escorted his ass out :)

[Boggle]

These guys crack me up! When I was off shift an individual came in and stole a display ipod... now we had our suspicions but could never do anything about it because we had no proof....

Well not more than a week later the guy comes back in... WITH the ipod! He was a little teenager and I guess couldn't afford a cable to charge it with, so he was charging it in a dock and downloading songs from an emac haha...

I approached and started engaging him about his ipod, just feeling him out and hoping for him to slip... so he finally starts to get scared and begins making up a story about how his ipod didn't come with a charging cable... so i'm like "oh yeah?? You know I think we have it in the back, and the box was left here too" at this point I expected him to leave, but I managed to convince him that if I just took his ipod to the back I could get him his box and cable....

needless to say, after he gave me the ipod, I went in back and checked the serial # against the one that was stolen, sure enough it was a match. Manager called security and escorted his ass out :)


I look forward to seeing the names of both these thieves in the next Darwin Awards. :D

[adk]

Is that some citizens arrest?

Not really. I think the technical name for it is "Apple guys tackling a thief so they can drag him back inside." I'm not sure if it's technically legal or not, but one of my friends who used to work security at an inner city Target had to do it all the time.

[dmw007]

Good to see that the thieves were caught. :)


How dare they try to rip off Apple! :rolleyes: :mad:

[MacBytes]

http://www.macbytes.com/images/bytessig.gif (http://www.macbytes.com)

Category: Apple Services
Link: Take-down at the Apple store (http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20060518085728)
Description:: none

Posted on MacBytes.com (http://www.macbytes.com)
Approved by Mudbug

[iGary]

We used to page "Sales Call Line 20" when we had a shoplifter in the store at Fawcett's (there was no line 20 on our phone system).

Needless to say, if they hadn't stolen anything, having 30 employees (we loved it when this happened) surround you and ask you if you need any help thwarted most lifters. One's we caught (we always made sure we had tape) were allowed to dontinue shoplifting untl the police arrived. If they tried to leave, we locked the doors ahead of them.

Good stuff, I hate thieves.

[jaxstate]

I think they are complete idiots. That's a good way to get yourself killed if your an employee. I was working at a store (not Apple) and we was always told NOT to try and stop shoplifters.

[iGary]

I think they are complete idiots. That's a good way to get yourself killed if your an employee. I was working at a store (not Apple) and we was always told NOT to try and stop shoplifters.

It sounds more like they have security at the store specifically for this purpose - not white shirt dude. I know the SoHo store in NYC has security all around.

We never had a problem with our techniques in 50 years of business and had a minute shrinkage rate. People knew taht we were not an easy target.

[Sharewaredemon]

We used to page "Sales Call Line 20" when we had a shoplifter in the store at Fawcett's (there was no line 20 on our phone system).

Needless to say, if they hadn't stolen anything, having 30 employees (we loved it when this happened) surround you and ask you if you need any help thwarted most lifters. One's we caught (we always made sure we had tape) were allowed to dontinue shoplifting untl the police arrived. If they tried to leave, we locked the doors ahead of them.

Good stuff, I hate thieves.

That's a great story sounds like you had fun catching them...

:D

[kingtj]

It's one thing to advise store clerks not to resist if there's a hold-up, but shoplifters are usually a different case. I'm sure some stores do advise their employees not to try to stop a shoplifter, just out of fear of a lawsuit or worker's comp. claim from some injury they sustained while fighting with the thief.... But otherwise, it's not a "high risk" situation, as a rule.

The vast majority of shoplifters aren't stealing because they need/want the money, so much as because it's a thrill.... It's an addiction for them, similar to gambling or drugs. Quite often, when a shoplifter is caught, they had enough money in their wallet or purse to pay for the item(s) they stole!


I think they are complete idiots. That's a good way to get yourself killed if your an employee. I was working at a store (not Apple) and we was always told NOT to try and stop shoplifters.

[JRM PowerPod]

I work in retail here's our codes

Service 1 - Assistance for particluar department somewhere else in the store
Service 2 - Extra asistance required in a department
Service 3 - Pick up the phones
Service 4 - Mark down under 50
Service 5 - Dodgey bastard is surveying the store
Service 6 - Duty Manager required

Service 20 - Mad chick is in the store

[iGary]

Service 20 - Mad chick is in the store

That was "Ice Call" when I worked in restaurants.

[Unorthodox]

Not really. I think the technical name for it is "Apple guys tackling a thief so they can drag him back inside." I'm not sure if it's technically legal or not, but one of my friends who used to work security at an inner city Target had to do it all the time.
What did they do with him after they dragged him inside?
Put him up against a wall and *bang bang bang*?
Or do they have a special prison room where they put shoplifters in.

[Jaffa Cake]

Put him up against a wall and *bang bang bang*?It would certainly be a novel way to discourage shoplifters, I'll give you that... :D :eek:

[devilot]

Photo caption says that this happened in SF, CA... interesting.Not really. I think the technical name for it is "Apple guys tackling a thief so they can drag him back inside." I'm not sure if it's technically legal or not, but one of my friends who used to work security at an inner city Target had to do it all the time.I used to work retail. One place I worked at was the Gap and since they're subjected to tons of shoplifting you quickly learn what is and is NOT legal.

Once somebody has left the store, you can NOT do anything about it.

Plus, even while in-store, managers/security (not "lowly" other employees) must actually see the suspect shoplifting. So if you are an employee and not a manager and witness someone stealing, you've gotta notify a manager quickly in hopes that they'll see and be able to nab the person, or even approach.

A lot of times, if a person is simply approached, they'll give it up. Example, a person tries to steal socks so a manager might walk up to them and say, "Sir/Miss, would you like me to keep those socks for you at the register while you continue to shop?" It's a good way to diffuse what could be a sticky situation.

Anyway, I'm guessing that after the photo, they only had the legal power to reclaim the item, I suppose.

[iGary]

This is a dupe post - already one on MacBytes....

[p0intblank]

Thieves... such low lifes. :rolleyes:

[redAPPLE]

Good to see that the thieves were caught. :)


How dare they try to rip off Apple! :rolleyes: :mad:

yeah! if there is somebody that does the ripping off, that would be Apple.

[mkrishnan]

Once somebody has left the store, you can NOT do anything about it.

I know that, in Detroit, over the last couple of years that I was there, there were a couple of incidents where someone from security tried to accost and apprehend a thief in the parking lot, which ended up with someone being seriously injured and/or killed. I think there was at least one incident each in which the "suspect" was hurt, and in which the security personnel were hurt. So there's yet another reason that you don't want to tackle someone....

[Core Trio]

These guys crack me up! When I was off shift an individual came in and stole a display ipod... now we had our suspicions but could never do anything about it because we had no proof....

Well not more than a week later the guy comes back in... WITH the ipod! He was a little teenager and I guess couldn't afford a cable to charge it with, so he was charging it in a dock and downloading songs from an emac haha...

I approached and started engaging him about his ipod, just feeling him out and hoping for him to slip... so he finally starts to get scared and begins making up a story about how his ipod didn't come with a charging cable... so i'm like "oh yeah?? You know I think we have it in the back, and the box was left here too" at this point I expected him to leave, but I managed to convince him that if I just took his ipod to the back I could get him his box and cable....

needless to say, after he gave me the ipod, I went in back and checked the serial # against the one that was stolen, sure enough it was a match. Manager called security and escorted his ass out :)

I guess they do always return to the scene of the crime.


what an idiot.

[ibidiem]

At least here in oregon, you can get in serious trouble if you lay hands on suspected or even confirmed shop lifters. I believe they have the right to file an assault charge against you, if you're an employee or security. But it might be a bit hazy if you're just an enthusiastic customer, out for justice, though.

Hang 'em high!

[WildCowboy]

Photo caption says that this happened in SF, CA... interesting.

See the Powell Street Station entrance right behind them?

Nice to see Apple seriously guarding more than just their intellectual property...

[Koodauw]

trying to apprehend a thief can be dangerous. Its best to just get your merchandise back like devilot said.

Thieves will still anything as well, we have a problem with people just stealing left shoes form our displays.

The other day this 16 yr old girl, whom we know steals, and we usually ask her to leave when she comes in, came into the store. Her and her friend had a baby stroller with them, and a child in the stroller.

Thy ended up stealing two left shoes from us, in the stroller and took off. One of our sales guys and the mgr went after them. They caught up to them in the parking lot, and told them to come back into the store. The thieves decided to keep walking. An off duty police officer happened to be near by, and told the girls to stop as well, and he flashed his gun. They still kept walking. So finally he stops then, there is a bit of a struggle, and the cops puts the girl on the ground. Then her friend starts assaulting the officer. At which point our guys called 911, and about 8 cop cars rolled up within about 30 seconds-1min. Guns drawn, the whole 9. The situation was diffused, and we got our stuff back. Charges were pressed.

The worst part was it wasn't either of the girls baby. They went to the mall to steal with someone else's kid. Unreal.

[clayj]

Back when I worked at RadioShack (store #01-2306, North Hills Mall, Raleigh... the store's gone now), it so happened that one day, in the middle of the day, I ended up working in the store all by myself... the manager was out to lunch (literally), and we were a bit short-staffed. So I'm behind the counter selling these folks some batteries or something, and this guy comes in... walks up to a different part of the counter and starts looking at a very expensive hand-held radio scanner. There was a stack of scanners in boxes, all taped together (to prevent theft and to prevent them from falling over), with one scanner out on display, a wire attached to its belt clip to prevent it being stolen.

Anyway, he's playing with the scanner and I'm finishing up helping these other folks out, when I hear

<click>

"<Click>" is the sound the belt clip on one of those scanners makes when you pull it back and release it. The guy walks toward the back of the store, does a lap around the shelves, and then walks out the front door of the store at the same time the folks at the counter do. I look over and sure enough, the scanner is gone.

I walk out the front door, tell the guy at the kite kiosk (whom I trusted) to watch the store for me, and I start following the shoplifter. He's walking through the mall, I'm walking through the mall. He heads down a service corridor, and that's when he starts running. I start running after him. He hits a flight of stairs and is running up... I am thisclose to being able to grab his ankle when he decides getting caught is not what he wants, so he THROWS the scanner at me... and hits me square in the noggin with it.

I pick it up and keep pursuing... but when he gets outside the mall, he slows down and starts walking off the property. At that point, sanity kicked in and reminded me: This guy might have a knife. I look around for mall security or a cop, but none are to be found, and the guy gets away.

I walk back down to the store and find my manager back from lunch. He was PISSED... happy that I saved the $330 scanner from being stolen, but angry that I risked my safety to get it back.

Would I chase a known shoplifter again? Probably... but this time I'd be calling 911 while I was doing it.