Rex Chapman, former NBA guard, arrested

Former NBA guard Rex Chapman has been arrested after stealing over $14,000 worth of goods from an Apple retail store in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was not because he desperately wanted the new iPhone 6 either, because after stealing the goods the ex-Phoenix Suns player pawned the products later on Friday.

Police arrested 46-year old Chapman after stopping his vehicle on Friday afternoon, taking him into custody where he now faces charges of trafficking in stolen property (five counts) and organized retail theft (nine counts). Sadly, it seems that Chapman has stolen goods from the Scottsdale Quarter Apple store numerous times over recent months. His modus operandi has been to pretend to self-checkout with an iPhone app but actually leave the store without making any monetary transaction.

An employee in the retail location recognized Chapman from his three season stint with the Phoenix Suns between 1998 and 2001; he later represented the franchise as a scout. Indeed, it has been claimed that his spree would have continued if he had not been a 12-year veteran of the NBA, and thus more recognizable.

Rex Chapman left Kentucky in 1988 and was famously the first ever draft pick for the Charlotte Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans). While with the Hornets he competed in a couple of Slam Dunk competitions and spent three seasons with the Charlotte based franchise. He switched to the Washington Bullets in 1992 and secured 18.2ppg during the 1993/1994 campaign before trading to the Miami Heat in 1995. With the Heat Chapman completed two seasons before heading to the Suns, where three terms followed, 224 games, and averages of 12.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

No reason has been given as to why Chapman stole the goods, but as this is a recurring problem it seems that he is sadly facing hard times.