The criminal probe into Apple’s “misplaced” iPhone prototype is expected to broaden, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told “CNET” (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20003477-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20).

San Mateo County’s investigation may expand beyond Gawker Media’s Gizmodo.com, which acknowledged buying the prototype for US$5,000, and the unknown person who sold it to the gadget blog, the source said. Police obtained a warrant to search a Gizmodo editor’s home on Friday evening.

“CNET” says that one reason for an expanded investigation is obvious: law enforcement wants to learn who found the so-called 4G prototype and offered it for sale. California law makes it a crime for someone to find lost property but not return it.