Thieves Follow Apple Retail Store Customers

[BanjoBanker]

Just carry a concealed firearm or go with someone that does. I always go out with a concealed Glock Model #27 .40 (installed with Laser-Max Laser). I had some nut follow my wife and I to our vehicle around X-Mas '07, he told me to give him my bags or he was going to "make me bleed", I turned around and he had a red laser-dot illuminating his head. He said he was "joking" and thought I was his "friend" (OK!), he turned and ran back through the parking lot. In this day and age with the economy and people quite desperate you can't take chances.

Well done. My Springfield XD in .45 gets the point across quite well too.

 

[localoid]

Well, I guess if you plan to do your shopping at the mall, there is really no way to prevent this. I suppose buying items online is the safest way to go. It's sad that this is how the world is.

Buying online safe? Not really. There are people that will start following the UPS and FedEx trucks around, usually starting during the Christmas season, who will wait for a delivery left on a porch where no one's at home. Getting an item shipped with "signature reguired" status is often difficult with most online merchants unless its cost is >$1000.

 

[alphaod]

Just carry a concealed firearm or go with someone that does. I always go out with a concealed Glock Model #27 .40 (installed with Laser-Max Laser). I had some nut follow my wife and I to our vehicle around X-Mas '07, he told me to give him my bags or he was going to "make me bleed", I turned around and he had a red laser-dot illuminating his head. He said he was "joking" and thought I was his "friend" (OK!), he turned and ran back through the parking lot. In this day and age with the economy and people quite desperate you can't take chances.

Let's assume it's dark, and instead of taking out a gun, he's pulling out his wallet; you can't tell--you shoot. You wife will be lonely for a few years. Just give it up.

 

[nanofrog]

Buying online safe? Not really. There are people that will start following the UPS and FedEx trucks around, usually starting during the Christmas season, who will wait for a delivery left on a porch where no one's at home. Getting an item shipped with "signature reguired" status is often difficult with most online merchants unless its cost is >$1000.

There's a few horror stories with that scenario as well, IIRC.

 

[Philberttheduck]

Let's assume it's dark, and instead of taking out a gun, he's pulling out his wallet; you can't tell--you shoot. You wife will be lonely for a few years. Just give it up.

The right to self-protection? Owning a gun is fine as long as he's registered and isn't going out to punk people for their wallets and purses.

 

[OutThere]

Buying online safe? Not really. There are people that will start following the UPS and FedEx trucks around, usually starting during the Christmas season, who will wait for a delivery left on a porch where no one's at home. Getting an item shipped with "signature reguired" status is often difficult with most online merchants unless its cost is >$1000.

I just got a $100 extra battery for my Powerbook from Apple and had to sign. Same with the mac mini memory upgrade I got for $30 a few weeks ago. Fedex made me sign (albeit poorly) the little PDA/tablet thing they carry around.

 

[ra noodle]

if any of you guys live near an adli food store buy some of their bags...thats what I put the MBP15 in when I walked out so 10 feet from the door no one had any idea what I had except an Aldi bag-and who wants to steal stuff from an Aldi?

 

[life is good]

Just be cautious in the store also. You might put items in another bag but you can be sure the thieves are in the store too.

 

[rworne]

But yeah, it's unfortunate that there are so many thieves out there. Makes me wonder. Somewhere, out there... is one of YOU reading this on your stolen Mac?

Yup, and I wiped off the crappy OS and installed XP on it too. A legit copy, I have morals.

j/k

I had a break-in early this year, the punk that did it just took what he could carry - a PS3, PSP, a camera, a jar full of change, and some jewelry. He left the flatscreen TV, three iMacs, Wii (but stole the wiimotes) and a host of other goodies.

The Macs are now bugged, so if they are stolen they will start taking photos and start calling home. I have some small 1/8" diameter black vinyl stickers that cover up the iSight LED really well for some stealth too.

 

[life is good]

if any of you guys live near an adli food store buy some of their bags...thats what I put the MBP15 in when I walked out so 10 feet from the door no one had any idea what I had except an Aldi bag-and who wants to steal stuff from an Aldi?

Well, they know now.

 

[alphaod]

The right to self-protection? Owning a gun is fine as long as he's registered and isn't going out to punk people for their wallets and purses.

Against a wallet? Good luck get that argument through in court!

 

[Jak3]

Yup, and I wiped off the crappy OS and installed XP on it too. A legit copy, I have morals.

j/k

I had a break-in early this year, the punk that did it just took what he could carry - a PS3, PSP, a camera, a jar full of change, and some jewelry. He left the flatscreen TV, three iMacs, Wii (but stole the wiimotes) and a host of other goodies.

The Macs are now bugged, so if they are stolen they will start taking photos and start calling home. I have some small 1/8" diameter black vinyl stickers that cover up the iSight LED really well for some stealth too.

How did you do that? I'd be interested in putting something like that on mine as well...

 

[Vulcan]

Well, I bought my MacBook on Friday and didn't have anyone follow me home

Anyway, I think that the most major times for these things being stolen is around the holidays.

 

[CharlieKirk]

Okay I'm glad I live in the safest county in the US.

And who stops at Blockbuster after getting a computer! I go straight hope or I stay in the freakin' card guarding my gift.



DHL loves delivering my stuff to my neighbors. I get neighbor's shipments too. Luckily everyone is friendly.

Nice! I hate DHL. They better not #$%@ up my monitor.

I think some here are missing the point. You may get to your car just fine and dandy, but hello! they are following people!

Indeed. As I mentioned earlier, go round the back if you can, and carry a cloth for car->house, and go backroutes or lose that a****** behind you if you see him, or her for that matter.

This happens more than they report I am sure, it is easy money for the thieves

Definitely.

Just carry a concealed firearm or go with someone that does. I always go out with a concealed Glock Model #27 .40 (installed with Laser-Max Laser). I had some nut follow my wife and I to our vehicle around X-Mas '07, he told me to give him my bags or he was going to "make me bleed", I turned around and he had a red laser-dot illuminating his head. He said he was "joking" and thought I was his "friend" (OK!), he turned and ran back through the parking lot. In this day and age with the economy and people quite desperate you can't take chances.

OH YES!
If that is a true story, I now fully worship you. You pistol-packing--merchandise-thief-fighter.

I will not leave anything of value laying in plain sight while my car is parked, it all goes into the trunk. Sure, they could break the window and use the button to "pop" the trunk but before they even have a chance to worry about opening the trunk the alarm will have scared them off.

That'll stop em for a BIT

me too, that's a nice thing about maine.

Maine is nice. Very... 'nothing' though..

LOL..

I lol'd too.. that was a somewhat un-researched statement

my experience/s with the Old Orchard Apple store--and there will be some who know this one.....when i first "got into" Mac's after literally tearing up the piece of s### Gateway computers are and the bigger piece of s### Windows is....I finally went to the above store and bought the mac mini day after it came out....still have it....still has Panther on it...still have dialup.....but when i "upgraded" to a laptop it was the PB12 plus a few other things which was a 2 grand plus total...i am disabled, i vary between using two canes to the clasp holding crutches....know what the apple people did for me...they called the local LE to let them know i was carrying my PB12 out to my handicapped spot opposite Barnes and Overpriced Noble....they did that because i am in such a state that i couldnt put up resistance to a bad ass mosquito---yet i could if prodded the wrong way take out some a##h### an "icheese" with a 200grain if necessary just as an example of opposites--and "icheese" would know what I meant....and then when I upgraded to a MBP15" they called the local LE just to let them know again-why because a lot of low life's check out people shopping at Old Orchard ....i dont have the appearance of someone who has a BMW and fancy ass big shot job...but that's how much concern those great guys at the Apple Old Orchard store pay attention and then some to their customers!!!

OLD ORCHARD!!!! Thats where I go... I live in Evanston, IL, and love Old Orchard. Have you been to that place opposite the apple store, the back massage stuff. Thats awesome. Yes, they're very friendly at that store, we always went round the back, except for iPod Touch as it's bag/moms purse worthy.

 

[CharlieKirk]

Well done. My Springfield XD in .45 gets the point across quite well too.

BAMF. Good on you.

Buying online safe? Not really. There are people that will start following the UPS and FedEx trucks around, usually starting during the Christmas season, who will wait for a delivery left on a porch where no one's at home. Getting an item shipped with "signature reguired" status is often difficult with most online merchants unless its cost is >$1000.

the worst bit is sometimes they don't lock the package holders inside the truck, so if they park kinda far away, its as simple as jumping on and then swiping the swag. But yeh... they do leave them around...

Let's assume it's dark, and instead of taking out a gun, he's pulling out his wallet; you can't tell--you shoot. You wife will be lonely for a few years. Just give it up.

That's so true. You've kind of changed my mind from my last two posts regarding that.

There's a few horror stories with that scenario as well, IIRC.

:'(

The right to self-protection? Owning a gun is fine as long as he's registered and isn't going out to punk people for their wallets and purses.

Precisely, and not precisely, if they do have it registered, but people can get them registered for things such as bird shooting or target practice or whatever, and then pull it out on the street as well.

I just got a $100 extra battery for my Powerbook from Apple and had to sign. Same with the mac mini memory upgrade I got for $30 a few weeks ago. Fedex made me sign (albeit poorly) the little PDA/tablet thing they carry around.

thats good, Fedex are very good, it's DHL that sucks, UPS are *ok*.

if any of you guys live near an adli food store buy some of their bags...thats what I put the MBP15 in when I walked out so 10 feet from the door no one had any idea what I had except an Aldi bag-and who wants to steal stuff from an Aldi?

Nice.

Just be cautious in the store also. You might put items in another bag but you can be sure the thieves are in the store too.

Yep, It's so difficult, theres so many variables...

Yup, and I wiped off the crappy OS and installed XP on it too. A legit copy, I have morals.

j/k

I had a break-in early this year, the punk that did it just took what he could carry - a PS3, PSP, a camera, a jar full of change, and some jewelry. He left the flatscreen TV, three iMacs, Wii (but stole the wiimotes) and a host of other goodies.

The Macs are now bugged, so if they are stolen they will start taking photos and start calling home. I have some small 1/8" diameter black vinyl stickers that cover up the iSight LED really well for some stealth too.

Wow. I guess after that you take things a lot seriously, I would think about bugging my Mac Pro, but who can fricking run with it? Idk.. is it worth it?

Against a wallet? Good luck get that argument through in court!

Lol. But they would definitely have a think.

How did you do that? I'd be interested in putting something like that on mine as well...

Me too.

Well, I bought my MacBook on Friday and didn't have anyone follow me home

Anyway, I think that the most major times for these things being stolen is around the holidays.

Soon thieves will get smarter and do it during back to school.
Grats on your safe purchase, jesus christ, it feels like a gamble.. like a ... casino bet..

Sorry, I got bored and quoted all.

 

[mac-er]

1. The thread title is misleading. This is supposedly one case...it isn't a pattern. Hell, people could follow you home from Best Buy.

2. Who is to say the theives didn't just happen to pull in the parking spot next to them at Blockbuster, see the computer and purse and decide to steal it?
There is no proof in this article they were followed from the Apple store. Hell, they didn't even notice the car following them down several back roads and pulling into the Blockbuster parking lot?

Serves 'em right for leaving the computer out in the open. People will bust your windows open for a dollar bill.

 

[panzer06]

Saw a recent article in the neighborhood rag about slow police response times... in it, they related a story of some Apple retail store customers who were apparently followed from the mall by some brazen thieves:

"This is not the graduation present that one Dunwoody North family wanted to receive. After cashing some checks his stepdaughter received from well wishers, Jim T. (who asked The Crier not to use his full name) took her on Thursday afternoon to Perimeter Mall’s Apple store to buy a laptop computer to be used for college.

After the purchase, the two walked to their car and laid it on the floorboard, then headed towards home, taking several back roads and making a quick stop at the Dunwoody Blockbuster Video store on Mt. Vernon near Jett Ferry Road. Unbeknownst to Jim and his stepdaughter, their vehicle, a Grand Marquis, had apparently been followed from Perimeter Mall by three people in a white, late model minivan, which parked right next to them.

When the duo exited the car around 4 p.m., according to witnesses, a Hispanic woman left the van and followed them into the Blockbuster. Seconds later, two men smashed the window of the Grand Marquis, picked up the laptop and a purse containing the remaining graduation money, and fled..."

Just wanted to post this as a warning to any other soon-to-be college freshmen. Be very careful, those Apple bags and boxes are very conspicuous. And coveted.

I buy online and have everything delivered to my office.

 

[SMDrew]

Against a wallet? Good luck get that argument through in court!

If someone is drawing his wallet in a threatening manner, he deserves what's coming.

 

[donga]

1. The thread title is misleading. This is supposedly one case...it isn't a pattern. Hell, people could follow you home from Best Buy.

2. Who is to say the theives didn't just happen to pull in the parking spot next to them at Blockbuster, see the computer and purse and decide to steal it?
There is no proof in this article they were followed from the Apple store. Hell, they didn't even notice the car following them down several back roads and pulling into the Blockbuster parking lot?

Serves 'em right for leaving the computer out in the open. People will bust your windows open for a dollar bill.

i think by noting the store was specifically an apple store, there's more likely to be clientele with more expensive goodies.

also, they didn't leave it in the open, they left it in their car. granted, they could have covered it or something, but they never thought something like that would happen.

i guess the point would be to be cautious when making big purchases.

 

[johnsy]

I'd definitely put expensive purchases directly in the trunk of my car (a Saab 9-3 hatchback). If you have a sedan, there's no way to get into a locked trunk. Or in my car, there's the lid called a "parcel tray" that opens and closes over the trunk with the hatch, so even of you did break the rear glass, the tray would be held shut by the locked hatch.
Even in an SUV or wagon, you should have one of those cargo covers that conceals items in the trunk of your car.

That will NOT help! Remember- thieves are following you. They can smash your car's window, open trunk from inside and be gone in a few seconds. In any case even they will not steal anything you might end up with smashed window. Gun also will not help if you will not be around.

 

[bassproguy07]

I have seen people escorted to their cars by police here, houston is bad but not that bad and most of the time people will help if you are getting robbed. I don't worry too much about getting robbed, my dad carrys a gun everywhere, and I am studying to be a police officer so it takes a lot to scare me. I think there is more theft on college campuses with kids having macs in the first place. I dont have my MBP yet but I will only use it in class and at home, too risky FLAUNTING it everywhere. I dont even go to a club or party without a case on my iPhone although i go everywhere else naked. Just got to be careful.

 

[neiltc13]

Well done. My Springfield XD in .45 gets the point across quite well too.

Isn't this illegal where you live? In the UK it is an offence to carry a concealed weapon of any kind regardless of what you intend to do with it.

 

[obibobi]

"the land of the free and the home of the brave"

What other countries has this problem ?


I like the idea with the bricks-in-a-box.
But how about a bomb-in-a-box ?
Wait for the criminals to steal it and drives away, pull out your remote and ...
BOOOM !

 

[nanofrog]

Isn't this illegal where you live? In the UK it is an offence to carry a concealed weapon of any kind regardless of what you intend to do with it.

In the US, most states offer a Concealed Weapons Permit. Not easy to get though. Usually some sort of employment requirements IIRC, to obtain it.

That being said, criminals likely don't care, and may carry their own.

 

[QuantumLo0p]

In the US, most states offer a Concealed Weapons Permit. Not easy to get though. Usually some sort of employment requirements IIRC, to obtain it.

That being said, criminals likely don't care, and may carry their own.

Perps love unarmed victims.


The state I live in offers conceal/carry permits. Always has. Under the old law an applicant was required to have a significant purpose such as business owner, delivering money or items of high value, conducting business in a high crime area, etc-.

Under the new law anyone who passes an extensive background check and demonstrates hand gun proficiency as well as proficiency understanding gun laws and personal protection laws may be issued a permit.

I carried my .50 cal Desert Eagle once, just to do it. On a daily basis I carry a .40 compact.

I hope I never have to use it.