Apple Calls In The Brute Squad?

Police equipped with a search warrant have seized computers and other items from the Fremont home of Jason Chen.
This escalation in the "Lost iPhone" saga seems to paint the whole episode as not being a publicity stunt (or they are "jumping the shark").
If the phone was not returned quickly, California law clearly states that a person holding property they reasonably believe belongs to a particular person or organization may not keep said property. To do so is considered theft and if the value is above $400, the crime can be considered grand theft.
Maybe if Steve Jobs just knocked on the door and asked for it?

New Apple Phone Media Scheme?

So an Apple employee had a new i-Phone and lost it. The person that found it then sold it to Gizmodo.
Now Apple is referring to it as "stolen".
It sounds like a new way to garner attention for a new product.