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Ex-NBA star Rex Chapman arrested for stealing from an Apple Store by faking EasyPay self-checkout

Ex-NBA star Rex Chapman arrested for stealing from an Apple Store by faking EasyPay self-checkout

Alexandra Burlacu

Former NBA guard Rex Chapman has been taken into custody by Scottsdale, AZ Police for allegedly stealing $14,000 worth of merchandise from an Apple Store.

Back in 2011, Apple introduced its EasyPay system that allowed users to self-checkout in order to avoid waiting in line and make the whole process easier. At the time, many wondered whether Apple Store employees would be able to tell if someone was actually buying something and using the EasyPay self-checkout, or just pretending to do so and in fact shoplifting the merchandise.

As it turns out, former college and professional basketball player Rex Chapman allegedly opted for the second option, i.e. shoplifting.

The Scottsdale, AZ police reported arresting former NBA star Rex Chapman at roughly 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, tying him to a string of thefts. According to the police, Apple employees are accusing 46-year-old Chapman of multiple thefts over the past few months, all performed at an Apple Store located on 15169 N. Scottsdale Road. Employees first notified the police about this issue last month, and authorities have reportedly developed probable cause to arrest Chapman.

Employees at the Apple Store in question told police that Chapman would pick up items in the store and pretend to pay for them using the EasyPay self-checkout system via an iPhone app. The man would simulate going through the self-checkout process, but would actually leave the store without paying for the items.

Chapman allegedly took the merchandise to a local pawn shop and traded them in for cash, according to Scottsdale police spokesman Sgt. Mark Clark. The value of the items Chapman allegedly shoplifted is estimated at more than $14,000, which is a bit odd. Usually, Apple Stores either keep the more expensive merchandise in the back, or don't make pricier items eligible for EasyPay. If the accusations turn out to be accurate, Chapman either found a way around those security measures, or stole a whole lot of cases and chargers to pawn them for cash.

Either way, Chapman is now facing nine counts of organized retail theft, as well as five counts of trafficking stolen properties, all of which are felonies.

Chapman played 12 seasons in the NBA and has been working as an NBA front office exec and basketball announcer since 2000, when his playing days came to an end.

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