‘Kenny the Clown’ Unwittingly Had Steve Jobs’ Stolen iPad in San Francisco
- Posted on August 17, 2012 at 9:08pm by
Liz Klimas
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Kahn dressed as "Kenny the Clown" (Image via Facebook)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A professional clown who used an iPad pilfered from the home of the late Steve Jobs to play pop songs at a street fair while he made balloon animals said Friday he had no idea his friend had snatched the tablet.
Kenneth Kahn, who wears a curly rainbow wig when he performs at children’s birthday parties as Kenny the Clown, said his friend gave him the iPad in exchange for money he owed Kahn for a vacation the pair planned to take to Hawaii.
“He owed me $300 for the plane tickets, so he said he had an Apple computer that he wasn’t using anymore. I said fine, not having any clue what the hell was going on,” Kahn told The Associated Press.
The professional entertainer, who has also made unsuccessful bids to become mayor of Alameda and San Francisco, said he never examined the contents of the device.
Instead, he downloaded Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” and other songs for his clown routine, which includes magic shows and juggling torches on a unicycle. Watch Kahn’s juggling skills here:
Kahn, 47, said he played music on the iPad for a few days at the art and wine fair before police came for it. The device has been returned to the family of Jobs, who died last Oct. 5.
“The thing that is embarrassing to me is I’m a huge fan of Steve Jobs,” Kahn said. “It’s just bizarre.”
Kariem McFarlin, 35, of Alameda was arrested on suspicion of breaking into the Palo Alto residence of the Apple co-founder. Kahn said he had no idea where the iPad came from until McFarlin was taken into custody on Aug. 2.
Apple investigators identified McFarlin after he used the stolen device to connect to his iTunes account on the Internet, police said. He acknowledged to police that he broke into Jobs’ residence, as well as other homes, and wrote an apology letter to Jobs’ widow, according to a police report.
McFarlin targeted the unoccupied Palo Alto home on July 17 because it was under renovation, authorities said. When construction crews left, he hopped a fence and found a spare key, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
The newspaper said the suspect apparently didn‘t realize he was in Jobs’ house until he saw a letter addressed to the Silicon Valley icon.
During the 15-hour overnight heist, Jobs‘ wallet and driver’s license were taken as well as iPhones, iPads, iPods, Mac computers, champagne and $60,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry, police said.
Kahn said he met McFarlin when he coached him on a high school basketball team in Alameda more than a decade ago.
“Kariem and I used to talk about ethics all the time, so I thought we were on the same page,” Kahn said. “I guess he just got desperate, and made a terrible decision.”
McFarlin remained jailed on $500,000 bail and was expected to appear in court Monday. If convicted, he could face almost eight years in prison. Kahn said he has not been questioned in the case. Law enforcement officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
The Santa Clara County public defender’s office, which is officially representing McFarlin, did not immediately provide comment Friday. McFarlin has recently hired a private attorney who wants to remain anonymous until Monday’s hearing.
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Searchingforthelight
Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:08amIs this story true? Really?
Report Post »Banderas
Posted on August 20, 2012 at 9:52amAnalogy……I guess We the American Taxpayer is Kenny, the clown and Prez Obama is Kariem, who took the IPad…so that makes us the, Taxpayers are Screwed!!!
Report Post »Cruelnunusual
Posted on August 19, 2012 at 2:53pmDon’t let this guy near the kids. I hate to be like that. I don‘t want to spoil peoples’ fun. But people like this are just mental patients.
Report Post »Hugh Akston II
Posted on August 19, 2012 at 7:27pmHe would be an improvement over San Fransisco‘s current mayor or maybe Nacy Peloci’s chief of staff.
Report Post »dave88
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 5:03pmEveryone that I have ever known that had an ipad was a clown.
Report Post »Armyduderetired
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 1:24pmThis guy said he talked to the perp about ethic’s all the time while getting …… .. The … See what kind of world we live in when God is forgotten. Public education at its finest.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 11:44amThe… PERFECT… Successor to Jobs!
Report Post »RaydocX
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 11:11amSo, they can fins a dead Apple innovator’s iPad in less then a week, but my kid‘s various iPods that have been ’disappeared’ over the years mysteriously never are discovered? It’s been a frustration, since at least 1 of 3 ‘lost’ in public schools would have been connected later to the iTunes site, I would suspect…
Sadly, I think this betrays wherevApple’s interest lies… Not with the customer. But then when my sn and better half went for under warranty (obtained for an extra cost) service of their iPhones, in both cases the refurbs they were supplied provided merely new and different problems. Not saying it’s just apple, but when any company has the monopolistic attitude apple does about service of its product, the consumers are left with few options.
Report Post »WATER-THE-TREE
Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:52pmIt is amazing that they can track devices like that, just imagine what ability they have to know just what is going on anywhere, it is kind of scary.
Report Post »trinklefinder
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 10:58amRiiiight, because my friends frequently have IPad‘s they don’t use.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 10:32amHe was a graduate of the John Wayne Gacy School of Advanced Clownism.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 9:57amLet’s see…What did I learn here…
A gay clown had Steve Job’s I-Pad that was stolen by his decade younger lover who owed the clown for plane tickets to Hawaii for a romantic getaway…
Typical San Fran stuff here…
Oh…The gay clown has run for Mayor of Alameda and San Fran…Now THAT is funny! Vote for the clown! lol…
Great scoop guys, your tireless scouring of the internet has finally paid off on this one…
Sheesh…
Report Post »De-Elect
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 10:08pmMaybe one day your tireless agitating will pay off.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 9:05amObama asked Kenny the Clown to replace Biden on the ticket. Barry felt he needed a more serious running mate.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 10:34amExcellent Funny, yet true.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 1:33pmHillary-Bell?
Report Post »Charles
Posted on August 19, 2012 at 10:05amIf oweblamer had a son he would look like kariem. .
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 8:23amOf course the clown was clueless…. Riiiggghhhhtttttt….. Not buying it.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 8:53amWell speaking as a professional clown who has been to clown school several times, he is clueless about how to put on his makeup. A “Professional” clown covers every visible part of their skin, using a skin tone if nothing else. Balloon artists are allowed no gloves, or gloves with the finger tips cut off.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 9:58amloriann12
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 8:53am
Well speaking as a professional clown who has been to clown school several times…
———————————————-
You flunked out of clown school?
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 1:05amSteve Jobs had some ethical issues, but we all do. But what a way to kick a man when he is down. You got a few months left to live & someone want to take your stuff! Low!
Report Post »The_Pointy_End
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 2:27amThis guy robbed Steve Jobs’ widow. Jobs died in October of 2011, McFarlin robbed the house in July 2012.
Report Post »Charles
Posted on August 19, 2012 at 10:12am“Karieem” noticed he was in Steve Jobs house and then proceeded to rob his widow of as much valuables as he could carry. Even if he gets 8 years he will be out in 1 or 2. The clown needs to be charged with accepting stolen property. Why is he being given a pass on that? Everyone who has stolen property says “g – i ‘dint know it was stolen!” California – please sink into the ocean soon. Today would be nice.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 12:21amCalifornian Clown, felonious friends, payback for a vacation together…hmmm…I wouldn’t let Kenny within 10 miles of a kid.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 18, 2012 at 12:01amI guess Kenny the clown is out $300, now.
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