San Francisco ( CNN ) -- Police here have opened an investigation into the search of a man 's home by Apple employees , an official said Wednesday . San Francisco police were flooded with inquiries and barraged with criticism after releasing a statement on Friday saying four officers had aided Apple , which sent two of its security officials to search a man 's home for a `` lost item . '' At the time of the search last month , Apple declined to file a formal report with the police . Apple did not find the device at the man 's home , police said . The item they were looking for was a prototype for the next iPhone that was lost in a bar , according to CNET , making this the second time in as many years that an Apple employee has lost a prototype while out for drinks . CNET reported earlier Wednesday that the police had opened an investigation . Lt . Troy Dangerfield confirmed that police are now investigating the case , but he declined to comment further , citing a policy that prohibits officials from discussing open investigations . `` It 's not something we can just let pass , '' Dangerfield said . Police officials said they were unable to confirm until Friday that a search had taken place because those involved did not file paperwork , at Apple 's request . Apple had not returned an official 's initial request for comment , police spokesman Albie Esparza said last week . The official statement came after police finally conferred with Apple . Apple declined CNN 's request for comment on Friday . A man told the publication SF Weekly last week that he consented to a search of his home when the people arrived and identified themselves as police . He reportedly said it was n't clear that the pair searching his home were Apple employees , not police ; he also told the publication he would not have authorized the search if he had known . Misrepresenting oneself as being a police officer is a crime , but police are allowed to mislead suspects , said Rebecca Lonergan , a former federal prosecutor who now teaches at the University of Southern California 's law school .
Police launch investigation into the search of a man 's house by Apple employees . Score: 6 Apple has declined to offer its side of the story .