Warnings Issued as Thieves Target Computer Sellers : Robbers Pose as Computer Buyers to Enter Homes
A crime wave involving thieves who masquerade as buyers of pricey home computers prompted police and the Recycler newspaper on Monday to warn sellers against allowing strangers responding to classified ads into their homes.
It’s the latest high-tech twist to the age-old home-invasion robbery, police say.
This time, the armed thieves responding to Recycler Classified ads have struck at least nine homes throughout Southern California, stealing high-end Apple Macintosh computers and related equipment once sellers allowed them inside.
“The Macs are an excuse to get into the house,” said Detective Bill Speer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, which is investigating cases that have occurred in Reseda, on the Westside, in South Bay and other areas since December. Once inside, he said, the robbers have stolen televisions, jewelry and other valuable items.
The latest case occurred Saturday, when two victims were shot and wounded before one of them shot back, apparently injuring the suspect. That attack came even though the victims knew of the past robberies, possibly due to a computer bulletin board that allows users to communicate electronically, police said.
“They were aware of a series of incidents going on. Mac has a computer bulletin board,” said Speer. “So they were suspicious--not just of him but anyone who was calling. They were on the alert.”
After the suspect inspected the computer during a visit and then left to get money, the victims became suspicious, police said.
“They didn’t quite like the way the guy acted,” said Detective Bob Johansen of the LAPD’s West Valley Division. “That’s why they had the gun battle. One of the victims had a gun on him.”
Despite their concerns, the victims opened the door when the suspect returned, and he produced a gun and forced his way inside, police said. After a short gunfight, the attacker fled without any loot.
On Monday, employees of the Recycler, a well-read Southern California classified newspaper, called sellers of expensive Apple Computer products who have placed ads with them to warn them of the attacks.
“We are calling all of the high-end Macintosh ad placers all over Southern California and telling them to be wary in their dealings,” said Recycler marketing manager Paul Schulz. “They should meet in a public place or not meet alone, and meet in daylight hours whenever possible.”
Crime victims have been advertising computer systems worth as much as $5,000.
The Recycler also has issued general warnings to the public, and published tips in the magazine’s computer section on how to protect against such robberies. For example: Don’t meet a potential buyer alone; most if not all of the robberies before the last one involved lone victims, Schulz and police said. Meet in a well-lit, public place. Get a home or business phone number from prospective buyers and call the number back to confirm that it is not just a pager or voice mail. All of the cases have involved a pager number, and Schulz said police are trying to track the suspects down that way.
But the opportunities for such crooks are virtually unlimited, according to Schulz. The Recycler takes over 100,000 new ads a week, with thousands of computer ads and a loyal following of buyers who pick up the paper every Thursday morning and scan it for bargains.
Avid computer fans are continually looking for new equipment, and unloading expensive models and related printers, software and other equipment as soon as they become outdated, experts said. The preferred Macintosh models, besides being worth thousands of dollars, are attractive to thieves because they can be sold easily on the black market, according to Schulz, computer experts and police.
“These victims tend to be computer junkies who have a lot of stuff,” said Schulz. “They are just getting cleaned out.”
Rocky Pyle, an authorized Apple service technician at the Mac Universe computer store in Tarzana, said he and other techs often get what appear to be stolen Macs. “They have a fast turnaround,” Pyle said. “You don’t have to be an Einstein to figure out how to use one.”
But Pyle said that there is no way to determine if the computers are stolen.
“I must admit I am frustrated,” Pyle said. “If somebody comes in here with a hot machine, what do I do? The police don’t keep serial numbers, Apple doesn’t keep the numbers either. We’re stuck. We have our hands tied.”
Speer said police can check on stolen computers if owners call them with the serial number on the machine.
Authorities are saying little about the attacks, except that they appear to be the work of two black men in their 20s. They said that those selling the computers shouldn’t stop placing ads, but should be wary.
“If you put your name in the paper, you better hope the right guys don’t show up,” said Los Angeles Police Detective Roland L’Heureux of the Robbery-Homicide Division. “Inviting someone to come over to your house to look at your Mac these days can be dangerous.”
In most cases, the thieves bind, gag and blindfold the victim at gunpoint before making off with a computer and other goods.
One victim of the latest attack remained at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in critical but stable condition Monday, with a gunshot wound to the chest. The other victim was released after being treated for a superficial gunshot wound to the chest, Speer said.
