Man Sentenced To 25 Years For Violent iPad Theft

DENVER (CBS4) - A man who pleaded guilty to stealing a newly purchased iPad from a man in the Cherry Creek Mall last year will spend 25 years in prison.

Wearing a drab green prison outfit on Friday at his sentencing hearing Brandon Smith, 22, said he was sorry for the incident.

Smith had pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and second-degree assault in connection with the case. On April 15, 2010, he grabbed a bag containing an iPad from Bill Jordan, who had just purchased it at the Apple store.

Strings from the bag were wrapped around the Jordan's hand. As Smith grabbed the bag, there was enough force to tear away the skin from the pinky finger on Jordan's left hand.

Jordan didn't attend Friday's court hearing.

Smith had prior arrests for the theft of a cell phone at Park Meadows Mall in which a clerk was struck and shoplifting from a Louis Vuitton clothing store.

Smith's 25 year sentence includes 12 years for attempting to hire someone to kill Jordan.

His apparent taste for high end merchandise included working at an Abercrombie and Fitch store at one time.