SFPD Names Lost iPhone Prototype Press Release ‘iPhone5.doc’

A dramatic turn of events has surrounded the apparent ‘lost’ iPhone prototype, revealed to be missing earlier this week by CNET. Originally, the SFPD claimed no evidence of any police investigation over a lost iPhone prototype. But that changed yesterday as SF Weekly’s discoveries resulted in the SFPD coming clean, and admitting plainclothes officers accompanied Apple to the home of Sergio Calderon.

Reuters has discovered Friday’s press release was named ‘iPhone5.doc’ by the SFPD, hinting the prototype lost was the next-generation iPhone, rumoured to launch this October. The statement read:

The two Apple (security) employees met with the resident and then went into the house to look for the lost item. The Apple employees did not find the lost item and left the house.

Lt. Troy Dangerfield also noted the SFPD requires a supervisor’s permission for non-law enforcement officers to accompany police during investigations. Clearly, Apple has some pull with the SFPD, as Dangerfield went on to say “it’s not routinely done at all”.

As for why the SFPD flip flopped on their recollections of the events over the past 48 hours? Dangerfield told CNET this morning:

“Apple…We needed information from Apple [to locate records of the investigation], and they didn’t reach out to us until yesterday.”

The SFPD clearly is working hand in hand with Apple for this investigation, as it was also revealed two to four officers from the department’s Ingleside station escorted Apple security personnel to Calderon’s home. So we can conclude Apple security did not impersonate police, they were working together.

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