6th Apr 11
Robber dies after US Apple store shoot-out
by Natasha Redman
Bad Apple: man shot dead in San Deigo Apple Store robbery
Bad Apple: man shot dead in San Deigo Apple Store robbery
An armed robber was shot dead as he attempted to carry out a robbery at Apple store in San Diego yesterday.
The shoot-out began just after 7am on Tuesday morning when a security guard dressed in plain clothes exchanged fire with the burglar and a 25-year-old male accomplice after the pair had broken into the store. A 21-year-old female waited outside in a getaway vehicle, while the two men tried to grab equipment such as sought after iPhones, iPads and Apple laptops before the guard confronted them.
Police Captain Gary Ficacci told the San Diego Union-Tribune that it was not strange for guards at the store to be armed. He said that the security guard had been taking rounds and had the right to protect himself. Police said that the security officer, an ex-San Diego County Sherriff’s deputy, informed police that one of the robbers had pointed a gun at him prior to when he opened fire.
The exchange witnessed about 40 shots before the male getaway car driver received a fatal shot to the head. That made the car crash into a pole around 20 yards down the road and the other man and woman escaped the stricken car on foot. Authorities then put the California Highway Patrol and border protection guards on alert, while a sheriff’s helicopter scoured the area for the missing criminals.
All schools in the area were put on lock down, and locals were requested to remain in their homes with the doors locked. NBC reported that at 8am, officers captured the two suspects in an alley in the middle of two buildings. Police handcuffed the man and patted him down and the woman was cuffed before being taken to a patrol car. When officers became aware that the male had been wounded on his buttock by a gunshot, he was transported by ambulance to a hospital nearby.
The suspects’ names have yet to be released and authorities are checking for previous criminal records. Police discovered a gun in the car and another handgun which the male suspect was carrying. He was arrested following the incident.
The attempted heist is not the only time Apple outlets have been targeted for robberies. The distinctive glass fronts which Apple stores make them relatively easy targets for such smash and grab type burglaries. The high resale value, coupled with the portability of the goods inside, also is an attractive factor for potential thieves.
Apple stores from Chula Vista to Pittsburg have experienced smash and grab robberies. The store targeted on Monday had already been robbed twice. Following burglaries ,which have resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars in merchandise, Los Angeles and San Diego stores have hired private security officers to protect against such attacks.
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