Key Highlights
- Thieves stole 436 iPhones worth Rs 4.10 crore from an Apple Store in the US
- They tunneled through a neighboring coffee shop’s bathroom in a heist reminiscent of a Hollywood movie
- Suspicions of an inside job have arisen due to the speed and precision of the burglary
A daring heist that could have been lifted from a Hollywood movie recently took place at an Apple Store in the US. In a scene straight out of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, thieves tunneled into the store through a neighboring coffee shop’s bathroom and made off with 436 iPhones worth a staggering Rs 4.10 crore. Also Read | Emergency Situation? Apple Watch Ultra Siren Feature Comes Handy! How To Use?
The Heist
Seattle’s local news channel, King 5 News, reported that the thieves gained access to the backroom of the Apple Store through the bathroom. They managed to bypass the store’s security system, and surveillance footage reportedly shows them entering and exiting the coffee shop in less than 15 minutes. They stole 436 iPhones worth around $500,000 i.e., around Rs 4.10 crore.
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Mike Atkinson, the CEO of Seattle Coffee Gear, shared an image on Twitter that allegedly shows the damage caused in the bathroom after the burglars broke in by cutting a hole in the wall.
Inside Job Suspected
The CEO of the coffee appliance store, Mike Atkinson, and others have suspected an inside job due to the speed and precision with which the crime was carried out. The police are investigating the incident, and the Alderwood Mall, where the stores are located, is cooperating with the authorities.
Repercussions
Seattle Coffee Gear reportedly spent almost $900 on replacing their locks, and they estimate that the repairs to the damaged bathroom will cost between $600 and $800. Meanwhile, Apple has not commented on the theft, as the company has a policy of not discussing store thefts.
This daring heist is a reminder that crime can imitate art and shows how creative and resourceful thieves can get in their methods. The incident has also highlighted the importance of maintaining security measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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