In a calculated heist, brazen thieves tunneled their way into an Apple store through the bathroom wall of an adjoining coffee supplies store, making off with over $500,000 worth of merchandise.
Seattle police reported that the crime occurred at the Alderwood Mall on April 2 around 7 p.m. when the stores were closed.
It remains unclear whether the thieves initially broke into the adjoining Seattle Coffee Gear restroom or if they were hiding out in the store before cutting a hole into the Apple store.
Photos from the scene show a hole large enough for an adult to fit through, located between a toilet and sink.
The break-in was not discovered until the next morning when Apple employees noticed several iPhones missing from the shelves.
LPD Communications Manager Maren McKay said, “Approximately 436 iPhones in total were taken out of the back. In total, about $500,000 worth of merchandise was stolen and that’s iPhones, iPads, and Apple watches.”
Eric Marks, Seattle Coffee Gear Regional Manager, stated that the thieves gained entry into his shop by prying open its locked front doors.
Marks expressed surprise at his store being used as a conduit for the thieves to access the Apple store he told KOMO News.
Lynwood police noted the crime was well-thought-out based on the mall’s surveillance footage, which has not yet been released. The perpetrators wore masks, leaving no fingerprints at the scene.
Retail theft in the United States has become a significant issue in recent years, with well-known chains such as Best Buy, Lowe’s, Walmart, and CVS calling for help.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon warned of the historic increase in crime that advanced security systems cannot address, suggesting that staffed police departments could help solve the problem.
“If that’s not corrected over time, prices will be higher, and/or stores will close,” McMillon said.
Last year, the National Retail Federation released a study claiming that shoplifted goods amounted to approximately $35 billion in losses. This study was conducted by select anonymous retailers.