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Police: An iPhone Superthief Is On The Loose!

By

Ben Yakas

Published Oct 10, 2012

Modified Oct 10, 2012

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By

Ben Yakas

Published Oct 10, 2012

Modified Oct 10, 2012

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Police are looking for a man wanted in connection with EIGHT iPhone robberies over the last two months. All eight thefts took place in Queens—around Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside and Jackson Heights—and at least three happened at or near subway stations. In all the robberies, the suspect snuck up on the victims from behind, took their iPhones, and fled the scene. Here's a breakdown of the robberies via the NYPD:

  1. On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at approximately 2125 hours, on the stairwell leading from the N/B "E" train located inside of the Court Square Subway Station (44th Drive & 21st Street), within the confines of the 108th Precinct.

  2. On Friday, September 7, 2012 at approximately 1745, on the S/B "E" train platform located inside of the Court Square Subway Station (44th Drive & 21st Street), within the confines of the 108th Precinct.

  3. On Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at approximately 1930 hours, in the vicinity of 36th Avenue & 29th Street, within the confines of the 114th Precinct.

  4. On Saturday, September 15, 2012 at approximately 1240 hours, on the S/B "E" train platform located inside of the Court Square Subway Station (44th Drive & 21st Street), within the confines of the 108th Precinct.

  5. On Monday, September 17, 2012 at approximately 1230 hours, in the vicinity of 35th Avenue & 28th Street, within the confines of the 114th Precinct.

  6. On Monday, September 17, 2012 at approximately 2100 hours, in the vicinity of Broadway and 31st Street, within the confines of the 114th Precinct.

  7. On Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at approximately 1530 hours, in the vicinity of 37th Avenue & 31st Street, within the confines of the 114th Precinct.

  8. On Thursday, September 20, 2012 at approximately 1515 hours, in the vicinity of 35th Avenue & 28th Street, within the confines of the 114th Precinct.

It would be an understatement to say that there have been a rash of iPhone thefts in the last year—the best things you can do to try to avoid it is by not flashing your phone on the subways more than necessary and downloading the "Find My iPhone" app. This suspect is described as being approximately 20 years old, 6'0"-6'3" with a thin build. Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

Tagged

cops

iphone

nypd

police

queens

subway

thief

Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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