Smartphones are so common now that it's easy to forget criminals will steal them, if you give them the opportunity.
Apple device thefts in New York got so bad that the NYPD created a dedicated team to recovering stolen iDevices, the New York Post reported today.
The team works with Apple to obtain ID numbers -- known as an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity number -- for devices and track down the stolen goods.
The number of thefts in the city soared last year, according to a report from NYPD. The department found that iPhone and
iPad thefts rose 40 percent from a period of eight months. As of September, 11,447 cases were reported.
These numbers for "Apple picking" will continue to rise as smartphones and
tablets become ubiquitous with most day-to-day activities. Using apps on phones and tablets to check for news updates, weather reports, etc., are common for bustling metropolises like New York City, and elsewhere.
A Wall Street Journal reporter chronicled his own experience with an iPad theft on the subway that left him with a broken jaw. In Tech-savvy San Francisco one theft lead to a police foot chase and shots fired.
Consumers should take the proper precautions in case they loose their phones to the black market, where phones can fetch hundreds of dollars. Securing your phone with a good passcode and signing up for services like Apple's Find My iPhone service could offer piece of mind.
Thieves like to target those who are preoccupied with their phones, opting to grab the devices from owners' hands and then bolt. If you do end up a victim, police say it's best not to try and stop the criminals. Here is the NYPD's PSA alerting people to some common iDevice theft situations:
NYPD creates special team to recover stolen Apple devices
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NYPD creates special team to recover stolen Apple devices
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NYPD creates special team to recover stolen Apple devices
