Rex Chapman: Surveillance Video Of Ex-NBA Star Allegedly Shoplifting From Apple Store Released By Police

Police have released surveillance video of what they claim shows Rex Chapman allegedly shoplifting about $14,000 worth of products from an Arizona Apple Store. See the raw footage embedded below.

A standout guard for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Chapman played 12 seasons in the NBA, the last four years with the Phoenix Suns. The Charlotte Hornets selected Chapman in the first round (eighth overall) in the 1988 NBA draft, and he was the first player signed by the expansion franchise. He retired as a player in 2000 and subsequently held front-office positions with several NBA teams and did work as TV basketball analyst and color commentator for college and pro games. Chapman, 46, currently is an analyst for Grand Canyon University men’s basketball team TV broadcasts.

As The Inquisitr previously detailed, Chapman was arrested on September 19 for allegedly taking the Apple merchandise and making it look he was paying via self checkout. According to Scottsdale, Ariz., police, Chapman proceeded to leave the store with the items and took them to a local pawn shop, where he sold them for cash. Chapman allegedly stole the items over the course of seven different trips to the store. Police had been investigating the thefts since August, and apparently were able to identify Rex Chapman as the suspect after numerous Apple employees recognized the basketball veteran from his lengthy career, specifically his time with the Suns.

Chapman reportedly earned about $22 million over the course of his NBA career.

As far as the theft allegations are concerned, the Arizona Republic reported on the crimes.

“In court documents, police wrote that Chapman would typically enter the store with a white Apple sales bag that he filled with the stolen merchandise. Scottsdale police said Chapman would make it appear that he was purchasing the items through an iPhone app that allows customers to self-checkout within an Apple store. Chapman would then leave without actually paying for the items, police said. The surveillance video Scottsdale police released [on September 24], a series of six brief clips that range from eight seconds to almost a minute, appear to show Chapman, in different attire, shopping in the store on several different days.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykhtDHGW-gc

According to the Nation of Blue website, “[Chapman] has not given any explanations, however there might be clues. Chapman went through a nasty divorce that lasted more than a year. When it was settled, court documents showed he had $13,500 worth in gambling debt. His ex-wife accused him of wasting money on gambling.”

After a brief hearing (see embed below), a judge released Rex Chapman on $14,000 bail (prosecutors wanted $25,000) and he bonded out on Saturday afternoon, September 20, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office indicated. He is due back in court tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vzCrL4iRl0

[Image via Bing]