Apple continues to battle robberies at it’s U.S. retail stores, and is turning to local police for help in deterring thieves. CBS Sacramento says Apple is expanding its security efforts at local Apple Stores.
You might see new faces at Apple stores across the Sacramento region because Apple has contracted with several local police departments to bring police officers in as extra security.
This follows a months-long rash of store thefts by a criminal ring. So far, that ring is suspected of stealing a million dollars worth of Apple products. Sacramento police say the Apple store at Arden Fair Mall was targeted in the last month.
Apple is contracting with Sacramento police for tighter security, and so far, it’s helped thwart potential robberies. Unfamiliar but friendly faces now stand behind glass windows at Apple stores in Roseville and Sacramento.
The bill for the added police presence is being footed by Apple as part of a private contract, so no tax dollars are bring used for the beefed up Apple Store security.
While most malls provide a security force to protect stores and customers, their power is limited, and they cannot apprehend robbers once they leave the mall’s property.
So far, the added police presence is working.
“Since we have had officers at the mall, we have had no incidents,” Roseville Police Spokesman Rob Baquera told CBS Sacramento. Both the Roseville and Sacramento Apple stores have been robbery free for several weeks now.
In September, the California Department of Justice arrested 17 suspects that made up a crime ring that targeted Apple Stores across the state.