A shocking incident unfolded earlier this month at the Upper East Side Apple Store in Manhattan, where a 94-year-old customer was assaulted. According to police reports, a 31-year-old man approached the elderly shopper and punched him in the face without provocation.
The attacker fled the store on foot but was arrested two days later. Authorities charged him with assault, and he is currently being held at Rikers Island on an $8,000 bail.
Monkeys Snatch iPhones in Bali
Meanwhile, halfway across the world, tourists in Bali faced a very different kind of theft. Long-tailed macaques at the Uluwatu Temple have been stealing iPhones and other valuables in what researchers describe as a “sophisticated barter system.” The monkeys often return stolen items in exchange for food, showing an uncanny ability to recognize valuable belongings.
Similar incidents were reported in Cambodia earlier this year, where tourists accused YouTubers of encouraging monkey thefts for entertainment.
Mom Tracks Stolen AirPods in Italy
In Venice, a mother of eight managed to recover her stolen purse using Apple’s “Find My” feature. The bag contained her AirPods, passport, and credit cards. After spotting the signal, she confronted the thieves directly, even grabbing one suspect by the ponytail until police arrived. The dramatic chase, filmed by her daughter, later went viral on TikTok.
Other Apple-Related Crimes
- New Jersey: Two homes reported Apple product deliveries stolen, including an Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBook.
- Italy: Police arrested a 19-year-old man for extortion after he tried to sell back a stolen iPhone to its 79-year-old owner.
- Maryland: A delivery driver attempted to steal the same MacBook twice in one night from Walmart before finally being caught.
- Connecticut: Police used an AirTag hidden in a moped to track and arrest a theft suspect.
- South Carolina: A man previously arrested for harassment was charged again for stalking after placing AirTags in a victim’s belongings.
A Growing Trend
These cases highlight both the risks and the resilience of Apple customers. From violent assaults to tech-savvy thefts, Apple products continue to be prime targets for criminals. Yet tools like AirTag and “Find My” also help victims fight back, often leading to swift arrests.
