My son went to get his oil changed during free time he had between classes at NWTC. He went to Mobil 1 Lube Express.
The oil change went fine, without a hitch. Upon leaving, he noticed his iPhone was missing. He went back inside to inquire about the iPhone, because he couldn't remember if he left it in his car or took it into the waiting room with him. The manager helped him look around everywhere my son was previously inside the premises. They could not locate the iPhone, unbeknownst to me or my husband.
I had called my son's iPhone twice while it was missing, still unaware it was missing. The iPhone rang 4-5 times before going to voicemail, which left me to believe that my son was unavailable or not answering.
Fifteen minutes later, my son called to inform me of his missing iPhone. I immediately jump on MobileMe and lock the iPhone. I also send a message to the device with my contact information and my intention to pursue things legally if the phone is not returned.
I then call Mobil 1 Lube Express and speak with the manager. He informed me that it was only he and the assistant manager working that day. He backed up my son's story, that my son was the only one in the waiting room while my son was there.
I questioned about it being stolen then, and my intention to pursue this legally if the phone is unreturned. Especially since the manager, assistant manager, and my son were the only ones to have access to the iPhone during my son's visit (between the waiting room and my son's car). The manager promised to look for the phone, and talk with the assistant manager, and assured me that they have both worked there six years and have not had any trouble in all that time. The manager said he would call back in about 10 minutes.
I immediately try to call my son's iPhone again. This time it never rings and goes straight to voicemail, which lead me to believe the phone had been shut-off. I went on MobileMe to erase the phone, and it could not be located this time either (the iPhone had to be shut off). I also called AT&T to report the phone lost or stolen.
While I was on the phone with AT&T, the manager from Mobil 1 Lube Express calls me on the other line. He tells me that he tore apart the waiting room and could not find the phone, but when he went outside to the parking lot, he found it on the ground. The manager said he left it there in-case I wanted it finger-printed. I said I just wanted the phone back to begin with, and could he please go get it, and turn it off.
Not even a second later, the manager said that it must have already been turned off because it is showing the Apple symbol indicative of the iPhone turning on. I thought the manager left it outside? Funny, because I didn't hear any traffic in the background during the whole conversation.
P.S. - iPhones do not shut themselves off, unless the battery is quite low.
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