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In the latest Apple Crime Blotter, a store is robbed of iPhones by a man with a box on his head, iCloud evidence is to be used against a politician, and a deputy is accused of pulling a gun on teens.
The latest in an occasional AppleInsider series, looking at the world of Apple-related crime.
Nonprofit executive spent over $40,000 of embezzled funds at Apple Store
The former finance director of a pair of Seattle-based nonprofit organizations has pled guilty to embezzling more than $3 million, over nine years. The woman had used the organization's credit and debit cards on more than $40,000 of Apple Store purchases.
According to the Department of Justice, the woman worked first for a healthcare nonprofit and later for one focused on criminal justice. The money was also spent on casino gambling, vacations, and for her personal mortgage, while also altering bank records.
And speaking of Apple Stores and Seattle, there has been no announcement so far of any arrests in the early April heist in which thieves tunneled into the Apple Alderwood Store in Lynwood, Wash., and stole $500,000 in merchandise.
Man with a box on his head steals iPhones from Florida supermarket
A man wearing a cardboard box on his head broke into a glass display at the Price Choice Supermarket in Miami, stealing over $30,000 worth of iPhones and other items. It was actually one of three robberies of the same store that day.
According to ABC News, the man was ultimately caught after the box fell off and security cameras captured his face. He was charged with 11 counts of burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief, cocaine possession, and resisting arrest.
Evidence against former Michigan mayor found in iCloud account
Prosecutors investigating a Michigan mayor in a corruption case have uncovered evidence of payments from data in the mayor's iCloud account.
Detroit News reports former Taylor, MI, Mayor Rick Sollars, who is scheduled to stand trial later this year, received $5,000 and a Las Vegas trip from a company owned by a "Detroit towing titan," who later received a city contract.
Sollars' attorneys had sought to suppress evidence from both the iCloud account and from a search of the ex-mayor's home.
Deputy accused of pulling a gun on teens over stolen iPhone
A deputy with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office in Colorado has been arrested on charges of menacing and first-degree official misconduct, over an incident in which he pulled a gun on a group of teenagers that he suspected of stealing an iPhone.
According to KKTV, the officer was off-duty at the time, responding to a woman's call that her iPhone was stolen. A dispatcher swore in an affidavit that the officer "did everything you are not supposed to do," including pulling a gun while off-duty and not in uniform.
The deputy has been placed on leave.
Man accused of stealing AirPods, using bear spray
Police in Vancouver, B.C., are looking into an incident in which a man stole a victim's AirPods. After the victim followed the signal to the AirPods, the thief reportedly bear-sprayed the victim, according to Global News.
The incident was caught on video.
Man with gun accused of stealing iPhone
A Pennsylvania man has been charged with pointing a gun at two women and stealing an iPhone from one of them.
WTAJ explains the man had gotten into an argument with another man at a Dollar General store, punched him, and taken the iPhone from the man's girlfriend after she ran to help. The woman and a friend then tracked the phone to the man's residence, at which point he pulled a gun on them.
Once the woman called the police, the man went into his home and emerged, shouting "It was just a BB gun!" However, police later obtained the gun and found it a legitimate 9mm handgun, albeit with the serial number scratched off.
The man was charged with felony possession of a firearm with the manufacturer number altered, carrying a firearm without a license, terroristic threats, theft, and two counts of simple assault and harassment.
Two arrested in credit card theft ring that bought iPads and Apple Watches
A second woman has been arrested for what police say was their part in a scheme to steal debit and credit cards. The women, The Brunswick News reported, would distract shoppers in grocery stores while their accomplice took their purses and wallets.
The stolen items, per the report, included "pre-loaded debit cards, iPads, iPad accessories, and Apple Watches" from Target and Walmart locations.
Man stole iPhones from Walmart, threatened an employee with a knife
A man reportedly entered a Walmart in North Carolina, broke a glass case, and stole iPhones. Later, per WRAL, the man threatened a store associate with a knife.
Police say the same man, not long after, stole a City of Raleigh pickup truck, later crashing the truck at a nearby mall. After throwing a woman out of a car, stealing that car, and getting into a foot chase, the man was arrested.
Two iPhones stolen from passenger's bag at an airport in India
Two iPhones were stolen from the baggage of an airline passenger at India's Kempegowda International Airport. According to Business Today, an employee of the baggage handling company was caught on camera carrying out the theft.
He subsequently admitted to the theft and to selling the phones and was fired.
