Full text: SFPD statement on aiding Apple

After CNET reported earlier this week that an unreleased iPhone had gone missing in a local bar, and that a nearby home had been searched in an effort to recover it, the San Francisco Police Department denied any involvement.

SFPD spokesman Albie Esparza was quoted as saying that "we don't have any record of any such an investigation going on at this point." Some bloggers went so far as to conclude--incorrectly--that the "San Francisco Police Department has no record of the search."

By last night, the SFPD had reversed its position. Spokesman Troy Dangerfield sent out a press release confirming that the SFPD had been involved in a consensual search of a Bernal Heights home. Here's the text of the statement (and here's one explanation for why it took the SFPD so long):

September 2, 2011
11-96

SAN FRANCISCO POLICE ASSIST APPLE SECURITY
WITH THEIR LOST PROPERTY INVESTIGATION

After speaking with Apple representatives, we were given information which helped us determine what occurred. It was discovered that Apple employees called Mission Police station directly, wanting assistance in tracking down a lost item. Apple had tracked the lost item to a house located in the 500 block of Anderson Street. Because the address was in the Ingleside Police district Apple employees were referred to Officers in the Ingleside district. Four SFPD Officers accompanied Apple employees to the Anderson street home. The two Apple employees met with the resident and then went into the house to look for the lost item. The Apple employees did not find the lost item and left the house.

The Apple employees did not want to make an official report of the lost item.

While Apple has not publicly announced any plans for future phones, unconfirmed reports in the last few weeks suggest the launch date for the iPhone 5 is likely to be in early October. Other reports from Taiwan have set the date at September or October. (See CNET's iPhone 5 rumor roundup.)