California Doj Arrests 17 Suspects Responsible For 1M Apple Store Theft Ring

Apple stores across California have been plagued by a string of robberies over the last several months. Just yesterday, we reported that the Palo Alto store was hit twice in 12 hours over iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 launch weekend.

Now, the California Department of Justice has made 17 arrests as part of the string of robberies.

As reported by San Francisco news outlet KRON 4, the department arrested 17 suspects accused of stealing $1 million in product from Apple stores across California. The people hit Apple stores in 19 different counties across California, officials say.

The Department of Justice explains that the defendants would come into Apple stores “in large groups wearing hoodies and quickly take display products.”

On September 25, seven suspects were arrested and booked in Alameda County Jail. Another is in custody in Sonoma County.At this time, nine other arrest warrants have been given to remaining suspects.

Attorney General Becerra said that organized retail thefts such as the ones that hit Apple stores cost business owners “millions and expose them to copycat criminals.”

Of course, it’s likely that the crime ring targeting Apple stores consists of far more than 17 people, so there are likely many more arrests to be made.

“Organized retail thefts cost California business owners millions and expose them to copycat criminals,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Ultimately, consumers pay the cost of this merchandise hijacking.”