Apple Store Customer Arrested for Shoplifting Says He Was Trying to Use EasyPay Self-Checkout

[D.T.]

I don't agree with that statement. I did a few purchases with EasyPay and I found it very, very simple and a great way to shop. It is really obvious when the transaction went through.

I agree, I thought it was simple (and obvious if the transaction was complete).

Everytime i hear something about Apple at the moment it's negative.

A friend and colleague took his less than 4 week old MBA into an Apple store, and they wound up replacing it with a brand new one vs. a repair (some odd display problems).

There you go ... a positive story

they can't prove that he had the intent to steal.

He doesn't have to show intent. He took a product out of the store without paying for it. Pretty open and shut.

Yep, you walk out of a store without paying, that's pretty much it (I believe Shoplifting is one of the new misdemeanors that's doesn't even have to be witnessed by a LEO).

That being said, there's generally consideration for what actually happened, i.e., was is being concealed, etc., and this self-pay model adds some additional complexity.

Don't know if anyone actually read the MacWorld article, but the guy accused of allegedly stealing a $129 pair of headphones was at the Apple store initially for a service appointment for his rMacBook Pro.

I highly doubt this kids is that strapped for cash that he'd risk a larceny theft charge over a pair of $100 headphones.

Yeah, this is a great point.

 

[drummingcraig]

How do they know he had intent to steal?

iTelepathy. Its a feature in iOS6 and they're beta testing it in the stores.

 

[VideoFreek]

Amazing how many people here automatically accept this kid's sob story. Juries tend to work similarly--in any David vs. Goliath situation, sympathies tend to go to the little guy, so I'm guessing this bozo has a pretty good chance of getting off.

At the very least, he was grossly irresponsible for not making sure the transaction completed. How he can argue that he thought he did when the screen was still showing the giant "Pay Now" button is beyond me. And this puts Apple in a no-win situation: if they prosecute, they look bad. If they don't, they set a horrible precedent for future shoplifters, where all any would-be thief needs to do is set up a near-completed transaction as cover in case they get nabbed walking out the door.

 

[ellsworth]

I hope he sues that Apple Store for -$1,051,855,000.00

That'll show them.

 

[renegad3]

Yeah, this is a great point.

Assuming of course, it was actually him who paid for it? Hell might turn out the thing was stolen too, just sayin.

And just because a person has an item of high value, does not imply that he can afford an item of low value.

 

[rneglia]

Hahah I freaked my girlfriend out one time using easy pay. I walked out of the store with a product in my hands after using easy pay and said "go go go!" she looked so freaked out, it was awesome lol... Glad she can take a joke...

Just wanted to add: if you really did this...hilarious!

 

[thejadedmonkey]

If he doesn't have a criminal record or hasn't been in trouble with the law before, I would say it was an honest mistake.

On the other hand if he has a history of shoplifting/theft then throw the book at him.

So you're supposed to judge him based off of his previous actions? I should remind you, the purpose of prison is to "reform" someone, not simply punish.

 

[jonnymo5]

He asked for a bag. If he was trying to steal why would he do that? The employees should have just asked him to complete the purchase.

If a retailer is going to try to offload the work of processing a purchase onto the customer they need to handle situations where the customer screws up.

 

[freediverdude]

The other day I spent half an hour trying to figure out which shower caddy to purchase at a local Meijer here - did every single thing you describe here : staring, didn't ask for help, picking one up and putting it down again and again...So are you implying that my behavior is criminal ? Please let me know which store you are usually in so that I know never to step inside it.

I hope the kid is innocent and gets to pursue the civil suit. If I was in the kid's shoes and innocent, I would be mad with rage and never use an Apple product in my life ever again.

This is what gets me about some store security, including places like Target. Just because I'm actually standing there looking at products and reading the packaging and trying to decide, etc., in other words, REAL SHOPPING, that doesn't make me criminal where they need to send somebody to stand behind me or next to me or whatever or keep going by asking me questions. Not all shopping is just walking by the aisle and picking up something you know you want quickly. It's turning everybody into paranoids. Needs to be stopped.

 

[koban4max]

that's an one bad apple.

 

[sclawis300]

He doesn't have to show intent. He took a product out of the store without paying for it. Pretty open and shut.

You may want to get a refund from your law school.

 

[shyam09]

Don't know if anyone actually read the MacWorld article, but the guy accused of allegedly stealing a $129 pair of headphones was at the Apple store initially for a service appointment for his rMacBook Pro.

"Shine went to the Apple Store on August 20 because his MacBook Pro with Retina Display was acting up—specifically, a problem with the laptop’s trackpad. So he booked a Genius Bar appointment for that evening."

I highly doubt this kids is that strapped for cash that he'd risk a larceny theft charge over a pair of $100 headphones.

or he could have stolen that too.
nah I'm just jokin

One thing though, why didn't the store let him pay for it? I mean if he wanted to pay for it ... why not... what's the big deal?

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Amazing how many people here automatically accept this kid's sob story. Juries tend to work similarly--in any David vs. Goliath situation, sympathies tend to go to the little guy, so I'm guessing this bozo has a pretty good chance of getting off.

At the very least, he was grossly irresponsible for not making sure the transaction completed. How he can argue that he thought he did when the screen was still showing the giant "Pay Now" button is beyond me. And this puts Apple in a no-win situation: if they prosecute, they look bad. If they don't, they set a horrible precedent for future shoplifters, where all any would-be thief needs to do is set up a near-completed transaction as cover in case they get nabbed walking out the door.

Simple: Even the Apple employee who brought him the bag was mistaken, so blame that employee. Everyone (except that employee) has a good day.

Unfortunately, this boy's name was already strewn about the internet, so if he does manage to get off, he'll have a great libel suit on his hands. And in libel, as it's a civil and not a criminal matter, I believe you can sue not only for damages (how many lost jobs will this cost him) but also for pain and suffering. As someone else suggested, a $1,051,855,000.00 settlement would be poetic irony.

 

[iChrist]

.
Boy. Minimum wage employee makes company look bad again. So shocking.

Fire the employee, the best answer. He did more the $20 (or whatever the headphone cost) damage to Apple. Worse than the thief.

 

[freediverdude]

One of the Apple store employees did kinda sorta admit to me how the security works with this easy pay thing, because I point blank asked her, wondering about it. She said that they can monitor the transactions being completed in that store at the same time as they can see people leaving with items on the security cameras. So apparently there is someone in the back or someplace who is monitoring the cameras and matching that up with completed transactions coming through the system.

 

[ScooterLibby]

Now go do things the way it's meant to by interacting with people and purchasing your product by exchanging currency.

So it's meant to be that we also stop shopping online? Or, can we get around how it's meant to be by calling a friend or something right as we click Submit Payment?

 

[Asia8]

My Samsung mobile.. I tell it to shut down when I need to change phone cards, EVERY time I go back to it, I'm annoyed by a stupid confirmation screen.

I can understand missing the last step, though I've not used their system.

 

[thefourthpope]

I'm excited at everyone judging "the kid," the employees, and the company based on this really thorough article.

I hope either the authorities let him go and he sues the pants off Apple, or he's thrown in prison for like 6 months. Nothing in between for me, no sir. All or nothing!

/weak sarcasm

 

[Born Again]

they need to get rid of this service.

it's not comfortable to purchase products this way for the majority of people.

 

[ijohn.8.80]

Smite him good!

I say smite him, smite him good!

Make him use one of these for a prolonged time...

That'll teach him.

 

[renegad3]

they need to get rid of this service.

it's not comfortable to purchase products this way for the majority of people.

So then, don't use it?

Why should the minority who are comfortable purchasing this way not be allowed to?

The system isn't the problem. Even in this case, the accused simply didn't even bother (admittedly!) to try and complete the transaction.

 

[linkgx1]

Couldn't they have just told him to complete the transaction? This makes no sense!

 

[rockyroad55]

"When you successfully complete a transaction..."

What happens when the transaction is a success is totally irrelevant. What matters is when the transaction does not go through. If it is not clear that the transaction has not gone through, then the failure is on the part of Apple, and one can not prove beyond a reasonable doubt the intentions or actions of the suspect.

Actually I've had easy pay tell me when the transaction did not go through. A message popped up saying something along the lines of "your transaction could not be completed, see a specialist for help"

 

[JerseyDoug]

Exactly, I would guess you would have to prove intent in court.
I will not be using this system. I do not need the pain of false arrest.

The system works fine. I've used it several times. Always wait until you see the transaction completed screen and receipt. No problem.

 

[Purant]

Amazing how many people here automatically accept this kid's sob story. Juries tend to work similarly--in any David vs. Goliath situation, sympathies tend to go to the little guy, so I'm guessing this bozo has a pretty good chance of getting off.

Why is it amazing? It's a human vs a corporation. We have no proof wether he did want to steal it or not, so it's "normal" to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Here's what's at stake:

1) The kid: His future is at stake.
2) Apple: ....Nothing?