Stealing an Iphone 5 from store?

My friend wants to steal an Iphone 5 from a store, so let's say he does it, and he doesn't get caught, now can he just get service on it? Or do they need to like activate the phone (Not phone PLAN) at the store for it to even be able to get service?

I'm just wondering so i can tell him.

That's a terrible idea but to answer your question… If it's displayed on a table or something then no they are made to be displayed not to use.

Its you or your friend who wants to steal?

No because apple will report the phone stolen or lost and when you activate it they will tell you that the phone has been stolen and that you can't use it

If he steals an unlocked phone straight from the box, then he can use it with gsm carriers. There's a possibility the store could find out the phone's imei and blacklist it, but that's unlikely.iPhones don't need activation if they're gsm. If he steals a verizon or sprint one (cdma), then he can't do *** on the phone.

Tell him the obvious. Don't do it.

The phone would immediately be blacklisted & useless.