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iPhone Thefts Increase on New York Subway

Maura

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TUAW reports on a story in the Wall Street Journal today that says that NYPD statistics reveal that grand larceny incidents on the subway have gone up 18% year-on-year from January to March 2011, with a total of 311 crimes reported. According to the WSJ the transport police in New York say that the rise is fuelled by the growing trend of smartphone robbery, with the iPhone 4 proving to be the most popular target for criminals.

“We’ve been seeing an incredible trend of young people snatching these cellphones,” NYPD transit chief Raymond Diaz told the WSJ, adding that thefts are more common during the evening rush hour. He even names Manhattan’s Lexington Avenue lines, Brooklyn’s J and Lo trains, and Queens’ M, R and 7 lines as being “hot spots” for smartphone theft. The report adds that New York’s commuter rail lines have also seen a small rise in smartphone thefts.

Those who are unlucky enough to get their iPhone stolen on the transit system need not despair entirely though, as according to the report, police in New York make arrests in 30% of phone-snatching incidents, and in 56% of robbery-with-force crimes.

Source: TUAW Subway riders subject to iPhone thefts
 
and the need for find my iphone increases so as soon as they turn it on it gets wiped or locked
 
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