Thieves stole $100,000 worth of product after breaking into Sahali Mall's Simply Computing store last weekend.

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KAMLOOPS - The $100,000 heist of Apple products at a Sahali Mall store wasn’t so simple but the manager believes the thieves who sell the products from the raid will make easy money.

Simply Computing manager Regan Hayes says the market for Apple is a strong one, whether it’s buying from a brick-and-mortar store or on community buy and sell websites like Kijiji or Craigslist.

“Apple makes a quality product, so a sealed package would be pretty easily sold. They do hold their value,” Hayes says, adding unlike PC computers, the resale value continues years after its purchase.

Currently a 2009 MacBook is listed around $675 on Kijiji while a seller in Surrey is selling a MacBook Pro with high specs for $2,300. Reasons behind the sale vary as well, such as 'I don’t like Mac,' or 'This was a gift. Never opened.'

Hayes says the resale for similar used computers in his store would go for about $500. 

But the store Hayes’ manages no longer has any computers to sell. Last weekend, thieves cut through six inches of concrete to access the unalarmed storage room at the back of the store. The suspects then made off with brand new merchandise — 50 laptops and 60 iPads.

Beyond the market value of the product, Hayes mentions Apple’s simple, small packaging could make it the products more tempting to steal. Hayes says in a matter of minutes thieves managed to pull product off five small shelves.

“There were other things they could’ve taken,” he says, adding a bag of Apple TV’s were found scattered on the floor. "When you have something you can put in the back of a station wagon, that makes it pretty tempting to steal."

Hayes says he and RCMP investigators have reason to believe it’s not an inside job. Staff Sgt. Grant Learned says investigating officers are working with resources outside of the detachment to track the stolen goods. Hayes supplied all the items’ serial numbers to RCMP to help with this process.

Hayes says it appears the stolen goods will be covered by the company’s insurance policy. In the meantime, he said customers are being patient while the store waits for stock to come in.

Black market Apple products are a worldwide commodity. One million euros worth of product was stolen from the brand's flagship store in Paris two years ago. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in 2012 Apple was the preference for thieves and the brand’s popularity caused a spike for theft-related crime in the city.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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