Umm, but the owner was known on day one. They knew both the name of the engineer who had it as well as that it belonged to Apple - Apple's prototypes are always clearly marked, and Gizmodo confirmed themselves the DVT labels - it would also include a "property of Apple" and possibly a phone number.
The item is worth over $400 retail and considering it's a prototype, Apple could argue it's worth well over a few thousand. That's grand theft.
Having SOLD it themselves, the original "finder" was clearly not trying to contact anyone to return it. Gizmodo knew exactly what this was when they paid $5000 for it and themselves did not contact Apple to let them know they had it. Instead they shopped the story around to other outlets.
I really hope the identity of the original "finder" (aka thief) comes to light. At the very least they knew fully well this item belonged to the dude who was just moments before sitting at that bar stool and should have turned the item over to the bar's management - if the whole story even played out remotely similar to what was written. I don't for a second believe this Apple engineer would put the phone down on a bar stool and then walk away.
CAL. PEN. CODE § 485 : California Code - Section 485
One who finds lost property under circumstances which give him knowledge of or means of inquiry as to the true owner, and who appropriates such property to his own use, or to the use of another person not entitled thereto, without first making reasonable and just efforts to find the owner and to restore the property to him, is guilty of theft.
By the way, that's a passage of the penal code. The "finder" did not only commit a civil offense, he committed a criminal one. One Gizmodo is party to.
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