Police Find the “thief” who “stole” 4G iPhone

On a number of occasions, Mac-centric journalists have noted that it was a well known “secret” that the iPhone 4G was “stolen,” and that both Apple and the engineer were looking everywhere for the thing.

If true, as speculation suggests, Gizmodo could have known that they were buying up stolen property, “allegedly”. We’re sorry for all the air quotes and assumptions, but anyone who pretends to know what’s going on is speculating at best. Can you see why this thing is such a mess?

According to the San Jose Business Journal Apple Inc. requested the investigation, and interviewers said, “they have identified and interviewed the person who took the phone from the Gourmet Haus Staudt on March 18 after it was left there by Apple engineer Gray Powell following a birthday celebration.”  The article also references the fact that both Apple and Mr. Powell called the police to report the device stolen.

What would you do in this situation if you were either Mr. Powell, or a business owner?  Do you think the item was stolen? Or, do you think that it was found?  Is a found and kept item regarded as “stolen” by law enforcement officials? If so, I may have to call in this ten dollar bill I just found on the sidewalk.

But, outside of that little snippet of gold, the police aren’t really talking, Gizmodo’s saying very little, and Apple Inc. is as quiet as usual. There’s also rumours that the police are taking a step back and placing the investigation on hold because of public pressure that’s been mounting.

Who knows how this whole thing plays out, but either way, you should get some popcorn ready.