Temecula Apple Store Damaged in Apparent Drive-in Burglary

Yellow crime-scene tape roped off the at Temecula Promenade Thursday morning after an apparent drive-in burglary.

A car was driven through the front door and security gate of the store at 40764 Winchester Road at about 5 a.m., sheriff's Sgt. Dean Spivacke said in a news release.

"Once inside the store, several suspects exited the vehicle and attempted to steal various electronics," Spivacke said. "An inventory is being conducted by employees to determine the extent of the theft."

The car became stuck inside the store because of the security gate, Spivacke said, but by ramming the gate several times the suspect was able to free the car and drive away from the scene.

A bystander who went to the store at about 10 a.m. to see about purchasing a new iPhone said she arrived to see a security screen torn out and shattered glass.

"I was told that a vehicle ran into the store, with intention to rob," Irene Cay told Patch.

Cay said she spoke with an officer who told her no one was injured in the incident, which Spivacke confirmed in the news release.

No employees were in the store when the burglary occurred, he said.

An investigation was continuing, according to Spivacke. Anyone with information was encouraged to call the Temecula Police Department at 951-696-3000.

The store was closed today. A call to Apple public relations was not immediately returned, so it was unclear when the store was expected to resume normal business hours.