New iPhone launch days are a happy occasion for most Apple fans, but some found themselves in the middle of violent confrontations as demand for the sought-after smartphones reached new heights last week.
In Salem, N.H., police dealt with multiple thefts, domestic disputes, and trespassing issues before the iPhone 5s and 5c went on sale at the Apple Store inside the Mall at Rockingham Park, according to a local Patch report. Police arrested two individuals on charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, and marijuana possession as they attempted to maintain order in the crowd of around 1,000 people waiting outside the mall.
In addition, police found a man who had been beaten unconscious and was left "laying in some brush," though none of those in the area witnessed the assault. The man was taken to an area hospital by members of the fire department.
This is not the first such incident during a major tech launch at the New Hampshire mall. On the day the third-generation iPad was released in March 2012, one man was arrested and several others were asked to leave when the crowd waiting in line for the new tablet got out of control.
Meanwhile in California, police arrested three individuals on Friday after fights broke out in front of the Pasadena Apple Store after homeless people were hired to stand in line and buy iPhones for an unidentified man who planned to resell the handsets overseas.
According to reports, the businessman had transported a group of around 80 to 100 homeless people in from Skid Row, promising them $20 per iPhone claim ticket, which could be used to purchase the devices after the doors opened. Apple caught onto the plan, and after waiting in line overnight, many of those from Skid Row were told they could not buy iPhones. The businessman then refused to pay them, causing many to get angry.
"He got us down here, we spent the night all night. We got no money, we got nothing," one man told KABC- TV Los Angeles.
The homeless men confronted the businessman, demanding money. Police had to drive him away for his safety. Police said the resell scheme was not against the law.
Meanwhile, Apple on Monday revealed that it has sold 9 million new iPhones. Cupertino did not break down how many iPhone 5s and 5c smartphones it sold, saying only that sales of the new gadgets broke records.
For more, check out PCMag's full reviews of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, as well as iOS 7.