Thief Steals 50 iPhones While Police Car Sits Outside

Imagine walking into an Apple Store in broad daylight, grabbing dozens of iPhones and simply walking out.

Now imagine doing it while a police car is parked right outside.

That’s exactly what happened at an Apple Store in Emeryville, California — and the entire incident was caught on camera.

50 iPhones Gone in Minutes

On February 5, 2024, a masked man entered the Apple Store on Bay Street in Emeryville.

Instead of browsing the latest iPhones, he went from table to table ripping display phones from their security cables.

One after another, the devices disappeared into his clothing.

According to Emeryville police, the thief escaped with 50 iPhones worth approximately $49,230.

The footage is remarkably brazen.

Customers are nearby, employees are present, and the suspect doesn’t appear particularly concerned about hiding what he’s doing.

Then comes the moment that made the video go viral.

He Walks Straight Past a Police Car

After filling his clothes with iPhones, the suspect heads for the exit.

And sitting just outside the store is an Emeryville Police Department vehicle.

The thief walks straight past it before making his way to a waiting vehicle.

But there was an important detail that wasn’t immediately obvious from the video.

There was no police officer inside the car.

Police later explained that the vehicle was an unoccupied “ghost car” used as a deterrent. Unfortunately, it didn’t deter this particular thief.

The Video Goes Viral

Someone filming the incident captured approximately 45 seconds of the theft and posted the footage online.

The video quickly spread across social media, with millions of people watching the incredible scene.

The footage shows the suspect dressed in black with red shoes as he moves around the store, pulling iPhones from their display cables and stuffing them away before leaving.

The Suspect Was Eventually Arrested

The theft wasn’t the end of the story.

Following an investigation involving the Emeryville Police Department, Berkeley Police Department and California Highway Patrol, authorities arrested several suspects connected to Apple Store thefts in the area.

Police identified 22-year-old Tyler Mims of Berkeley as the man seen in the viral video. He was booked on multiple charges, including conspiracy, burglary, grand theft and organized retail theft.

Authorities were investigating a wider series of Apple Store thefts in Emeryville and Berkeley. Prosecutors later alleged that Mims and another man were involved in multiple thefts from Apple stores between November 2023 and February 2024.

Watch the iPhone Theft

The original footage is difficult to believe until you see it for yourself.

The suspect calmly grabs phone after phone before walking out of the store — passing the police vehicle on his way out.

Watch the video below:

Watch the original YouTube video

A Very Expensive Trip to the Apple Store

The theft reportedly involved approximately 50 iPhones worth nearly $50,000.

What makes the footage so remarkable isn’t just the amount stolen. It’s the confidence of the thief.

There is no elaborate disguise, no complicated break-in and no attempt to sneak out through a back door.

He simply walks into an Apple Store, grabs dozens of phones in front of customers, and walks straight past a police vehicle.

Fortunately, the viral footage helped investigators identify the suspect.

Another theft caught on camera — and this time, the camera may have helped bring the thief to justice.