With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Burglars following, robbing customers of Manhattan Beach Apple Store
Burglars have been following people leaving an Apple computer store at the Village Mall in Manhattan Beach, then breaking into the customers' vehicles at their next stops, stealing just-purchased merchandise, according to police.
The wave of burglaries started in September, said Manhattan Beach police detective Sgt. Brian Brown.
"In many of these crimes, customers have purchased a computer, put it in their vehicle and then driven to another location, leaving their computer inside the vehicle," Brown said in a statement. "When they return to the vehicle, the victims find that their cars have been burglarized and their computers have been stolen."
Investigators believe a group of people is monitoring customers of the store, Brown said.
Sponsored message
"These 'follow-away' vehicle burglaries have occurred in the parking lots of various retail establishments as well as on the streets of the victims' homes, sometimes at a considerable distance away from the Apple store," Brown said.
The Apple Store in the Village Mall is in the north wing of the mall. It sells iPods, iPhones and other Apple products, in addition to iMac, MacBook and Mac Pro computers.
Brown urged anyone with information on the burglars to call Manhattan Beach police at (310) 802-5140 or (310) 802-5123.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
