Crime blotter: Apple Store looters in France got bricked iPhones

In Lille, France, thieves who looted an Apple Store found their iPhones rendered useless when they received a message informing them the devices had been disabled and were being tracked by Apple. The incident occurred during a period of social unrest and looting in the country. This experience is not unique to France, as similar devices have been disabled and tracked in other countries experiencing similar situations.

The New York Post reported on this trend during a recent series of Apple-related crime stories, including a heist in India where a significant number of iPhones and other electronic devices were stolen from a warehouse. The thieves in India faced consequences as well, as the stolen items were worth over $100,000. In the United States, a man was arrested in Greenwich, Connecticut after using an iPhone loaded with fraudulent funds.

A similar case involved an AirTag that was found on a city councilwoman's car in Lowell, Arkansas. After an investigation, it was determined that the AirTag belonged to the mayor of the city, and it was attached to his cat. No charges were filed against the mayor.