Cops warn of smart phone thefts
A woman was robbed of her cellphone while on a subway train at Wilson Subway station on Jan. 31. The 21 year old woman told police she was on a subway car at the station at 8:45 p.m. when a man entered the train, grabbed her cellphone and then exited the train.
The woman was unharmed.
A similar incident occurred a day later in the area of Sheppard Avenue West and Allen Road. A 22 year old woman told police she was in the area around 5:30 p.m. when she was approached by two men. One man reportedly grabbed the woman’s iPhone from her hand, and a struggle ensued. The second man pushed the woman, police say, and both men then fled the scene. The woman was also unharmed.
Police are warning people to protect themselves against an ongoing trend of cellphone thefts, particularly iPhones and other higher-end smart-phones such as BlackBerrys. In many cases the owners of the phones are using them on the subway or in other public places when these thefts occur, police say.
The devices are being snatched directly out of the owners’ hands, and the thieves are making a quick getaway on foot. Please be vigilant when using such devices under such conditions, police say. And never resist a thief in these types of circumstances, as you might get injured.
