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Burglars steal $500K from Alderwood Mall Apple store after cutting hole in adjacent store


Burglars reportedly cut a hole through a store's bathroom wall to access the neighboring Apple retailer at Alderwood Mall. (Photo: Mike Atkinson)
Burglars reportedly cut a hole through a store's bathroom wall to access the neighboring Apple retailer at Alderwood Mall. (Photo: Mike Atkinson)
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Burglars who got away with more than 400 electronics from the Apple retailer at Alderwood Mall made their entry point by cutting through the bathroom wall of the neighboring espresso machine store, the Lynnwood Police Department (LPD) confirmed.

The owner of the neighboring business says he's grateful no one was hurt because the $500,000 theft happened while the store was closed. They've never dealt with anything like this in their five years in business at the mall, he said.

“Our front door was locked. They pried our front door open,” Seattle Coffee Gear Regional Manager Eric Marks explained. “[It was a] 24 by 18 hole cut in the wall into what appears to be the back room of the Apple store. I’m surprised we were the conduit for them to get to the Apple store. I had no clue we were so close or adjacent to them.”

Lynnwood police said it happened after 7 p.m. Sunday and Apple employees were not aware of the extent of the massive theft until the next morning.

“Approximately 436 iPhones in total were taken out of the back,” LPD Communications Manager Maren McKay stated. “In total about $500,000 worth of merchandise was stolen and that’s iPhones, iPads, Apple watches.”

Brookfield Properties, the company that runs the mall, told KOMO News this was an isolated incident and claims it has a robust security program.

Lynnwood police responded to the burglary and said it appeared to be a well-organized operation based on what they've seen from surveillance video that KOMO News has requested. Police denied KOMO News’ request for the surveillance footage, for now, because of the ongoing investigation.

“From the masks that the folks were wearing, that there were no fingerprints left behind,” McKay added.

Moving forward, Seattle Coffee Gear replaced their locks and say this is the first time they've dealt with a break-in like this, costing them an estimated $1,800 in damages.

Apple’s corporate offices have not responded to KOMO News’ request for comment.

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