Stolen iPhones from a downtown Los Angeles Apple Store began broadcasting loud alarm messages across the city, demanding their return after a daring looting incident on the night of June 9, 2025. The event, unfolding amid violent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, showcased Apple’s sophisticated anti-theft technology while raising broader questions about retail security and civil unrest.
The chaos erupted at the Apple Tower Theatre store as masked individuals smashed their way in, fleeing with iPhones and other devices. Videos shared widely on social media captured the scene, showing looters targeting not only Apple but also nearby businesses like an Adidas store, a jewelry shop, and several dispensaries. The looting was part of a larger wave of unrest that swept through downtown Los Angeles, fueled by protests that had escalated over days.
Within moments of the theft, a cacophony of simultaneous alarms pierced the night as the stolen iPhones activated their security protocols. Each device flashed a bold message:
“Please return to Apple Tower Theatre. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.”
The surreal spectacle of stolen phones announcing their theft turned the streets into an audible crime scene, drawing attention from bystanders and law enforcement alike. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported at least one arrest tied directly to the Apple Store break-in, with additional detentions linked to the broader looting spree.
Apple’s anti-theft system, designed specifically for retail environments, goes beyond standard consumer protections like the Stolen Device Protection feature available through iOS updates. While iPhone users rely on biometric safeguards, the retail system automatically disables devices removed from authorized locations, triggers loud alarms, and enables real-time tracking. This multi-layered approach renders stolen goods useless to thieves while providing police with actionable data—no manual intervention required.
The blaring alarms and on-screen warnings alerted authorities and served as a public deterrent, making the stolen devices impossible to ignore or resell. Apple’s network infrastructure allowed the company to monitor and control the devices remotely, a capability honed through years of refining retail security measures, including similar activations during the 2020 protests.
The looting occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions over federal immigration policies. Protests began peacefully on June 6, 2025, following ICE operations that resulted in over 40 arrests. By Monday night, however, the demonstrations had spiraled into violence. Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass publicly criticized the ICE actions, but opportunistic crime overshadowed the original cause as unrest grew.
“This is absurd. This doesn’t seem like a protest against ICE at all. It’s just looting,”
One exasperated business owner told News Nation.
The chaos even saw vandalism at the Japanese American National Museum, where graffiti marred exhibits honoring World War II veterans.
The LAPD made over 100 arrests, including one suspect charged with attempted murder for allegedly hurling a Molotov cocktail at officers. President Donald Trump, labeling the unrest the work of “violent, insurrectionist mobs,” authorized 2,000 National Guard troops, later bolstered by an additional 2,000 troops and 700 Marines. The Pentagon pegged the deployment cost at $134 million, with troops expected to stay for about 60 days. Mayor Bass took to social media, declaring,
“Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities…. You will be held accountable.”
Apple’s approach may set a standard for retailers, balancing accessibility with protection. However, the event also calls for broader strategies to tackle the root causes of unrest. Distinguishing legitimate protest from criminal exploitation remains a persistent challenge, requiring collaboration between businesses, law enforcement, and communities.
