New York Man Exchanges iPhones After Removing Components: Cops

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A New York man was arrested after he removed the components from two Apple iPhones and attempted to swap them for new phones at the Orland Square Apple Store, prosecutors said. Sylwester Banasik appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony theft charge.

“Oh my God,” Felice said. “The Apple Store. We get one of these a week.”

Around 4:30 p.m. July 14, the prosecutor said Banasik walked into the Apple Store with two phones which he claimed were damaged. An employee determined the phones had been bought at the Naperville Apple Store earlier in the day. Both were eligible to be swapped under the Apple Care Plan. Banasik allegedly told the employee that he forgot something at home and abruptly left, taking his phones with him.

A few days later, on July 16, Banasik was back with the phones. Both phones, which had their components removed, were fraudulently traded for two new iPhones, the prosecutor said. The total value of the phones was $1,718. Loss prevention officers called Orland Park police, who came to store where they arrested Banasik without incident. The prosecutor said that employees positively identified Banasik at the scene.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Banasik was a Polish national and in the United States on a tourist visa. He came to Chicago to visit some female friends.

“He came for a short visit,” the assistant public defender said.

“A short visit? To the Apple Store,” Felice asked.

Felice told Banasik that he had to come back for all of his court hearings.

“Can you do that,” the judge asked.

“I guess I have to.”

Banasik has no prior criminal record. Bail was set at $5,000. The judge admonished Banasik that he had to return for his hearings or he would be tried and sentenced in absentia. Banasik’s next court date is August 2 in Bridgeview.