$10,000 worth of iPhones stolen from Lancaster, PA Apple Store

and the sim trays are typically glued in so replacement of that sim is near impossible without destroying the phone in the first place.

I feel sorry for the people that buy these phones on the street.

Wow, I live in Lancaster and know a few people that work at that store, maybe I should go check it out.

So.. there is a way to track when they are activated if they are stolen? Thats not what AT&T told me when ours was taken. They said there was nothing that they could do to stop some jerk from stealing my iPhone and turning around and reactivating it. They were not interested in my transmitter ID number or anything else. Nothing they could do, sorry. Happy to turn around and take the activation fee and contract from the guy doing the stealing though aren't they.

I guess they are wrong huh? AT&T will track ones stolen from the store, just not from individual people?

Something stinks here.

Do US networks blacklist the IMEIs of stolen phones like they do in Europe?

It's a criminal matter. Apple won't try to stop the criminal investigation or prosecution.

And I doubt that Apple, with its deep pockets, would find it wise to insure the contents of its stores. They certainly don't like to lose $10,000, but it's low value. It isn't like they can't afford to replace those 17 demo units.

Of course, the worst part about this is that they'll probably sell them off through eBay or Craigslist and other buyers will be stuck with stolen goods that won't get activated.

Interesting, hadn't hear about this until I saw this post. The local news outlets, except I suppose for the paper, didn't report on this. I'm surprised by that since getting an Apple Store was a "big deal".

Again, TUAW? As a business owner, I can tell you they won't be writing it off. They'll have their insurance pay it off.

Research, confirm, post. That's the way to blog.

they were apparently the displays, which should be alarmed if they are like the stores here in LA. so someone clipped the cords and ran.

also, those phones, at least here, have Sims. probably dealer sims which means unlimited everything until they are turned off. there are stories here in LA about folks just digging out the Sim cards because of that.

no app for that.

JR- have you been to the larger stores? i.e. Stockton St. SF, "glass box" NYC store, etc. well over 17 phones on display...