Apple stores continue to be the targets of brazen thieves

It’s been an epidemic, and there doesn’t appear to be an immediate cure. We’re talking about brazen grab-and-go thefts at busy Apple stores on the Peninsula.

A favorite target over the last several years has been the Apple outlet in downtown Burlingame. Unfortunately, it has become routine and almost predictable.

Lieutenant Laura Terada, a spokeswoman for the city’s police department, estimated that the store has been victimized “a dozen times.” She did not provide a precise number.

The M.O. is fairly consistent: Individuals enter the store right past unarmed security personnel standing outside, scarf up expensive Apple products and race back to a waiting vehicle. They whirl away unmolested with their loot.

The latest incident on Oct. 7, which lasted less than a minute, resulted in a loss of $32,000 worth of Apple gear, according to Terada, who added that thefts at Apple branches are common in the Bay Area. The Palo Alto store appears to be a prime target. The Hillsdale venue is another. Terada said Apple sometimes turns over video evidence to police, sometimes not.

Regarding pursuit of the suspects (if police are alerted in time), Terada noted that such action would depend on circumstances.

For weeks, Burlingame police have parked an empty police cruiser in front of the store. It’s never been clear why that would dissuade determined crooks. Actually, it hasn’t.

Asked to respond to questions regarding security protocols, cooperation with police and deterrent tactics, Apple responded this week with a prepared statement:

“Apple works closely with law enforcement to investigate and pursue every incident in our stores, which has led to multiple local arrests over the past six weeks and a substantial decrease in the number of incidents in our stores.

“We care deeply about the safety of our customers and employees and are committed to providing a safe environment for all who enter our stores.”

Hall of Fame

The Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for induction in 2020.

Begun in 1989, the Hall of Fame (originally the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame) honors athletes, coaches and others who have made a significant mark locally and, of

ten, beyond the Peninsula.

Candidates are limited to those from San Mateo County and Palo Alto. So far, nearly 300 individuals have been inducted; their plaques are displayed at the San Mateo County History Museum in downtown Redwood City.

The county’s Historical Association will present the induction event at

the museum this coming spring. Nominations can be sent to either of the two addresses at the bottom of this column.

Colma night moves

Never let it be said that a cemetery at night can’t be a real hoot. Forget the morbid overtones and the fixation of horror writers on those enterprises.

Take a gander at what a Colma graveyard presented last week. Cypress Lawn Memorial Park offered a family film, Disney’s

animated “Coco,” outside on the cemetery’s lawn _ and it was free.

The movie involves a 12-year-old boy who finds himself in the Land of the Dead (not Colma, by the way) and seeks to return to his normal environment with the living.