Every Stolen iPhone from LA Apple Store Now Alarming: “Return to Apple Store”

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Published on June 11, 2025 5:13:15 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmX6aevYa1I

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Every Apple device stolen from the Apple Store in Downtown Los Angeles last night is now sounding an alarm saying it should be returned

🔒 What Happens When iPhones Are Stolen:
Activation Lock & iCloud Lock:
All modern iPhones (iOS 7 and up) are locked to the original owner's Apple ID. Without the Apple ID password, they can't be reset or reused — not even by wiping them. This renders stolen phones useless to most thieves.

Find My iPhone:
If enabled, the phone will constantly ping its location, even after being stolen — unless the thief powers it off or removes the SIM (which still doesn't bypass iCloud lock).

Remote Lock/Siren:
Owners can remotely:

Lock the phone with a custom message (e.g. “This phone is stolen, return it”).

Trigger a loud alarm.

Wipe it, though this still won’t remove the activation lock.

Tracking by Police:
In some cases during riots or lootings (e.g. in LA or NYC), Apple works with law enforcement to provide GPS data from stolen devices, which has helped track down suspects.

Bait Phones:
Apple stores have also been known to leave “bait iPhones” with tracking enabled to catch looters. These devices display a warning like:

“This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities have been alerted.”

💥 Real-Life Examples:
2020 George Floyd Protests: After Apple Stores were looted, many stolen phones sent tracking signals and showed warning messages, becoming worthless for resale.

2023 LA Unrest: Some reports again mentioned stolen phones being remotely bricked and tracked. Social media showed screenshots of these warnings popping up on stolen devices.

⚠️ Important Note:
If you find or buy a used iPhone and it asks for an Apple ID or shows a lock screen with a message — it’s likely stolen. Avoid purchasing phones without checking the Activation Lock status through Apple’s Check Coverage.