Big Apple thefts of little Apple devices up 33% in 2012

Big Apple thefts of little Apple devices are on the rise

The NYPD released some interesting, although rather upsetting news on Friday. It seems that as of last Sunday, Big Apple thefts of Apple iPhones, Apple iPads and other iDevices added up to 15,627. That figure was up 3,890 over last year's numbers for a gain of 33% year-over-year. Amazingly enough, there were so many crimes involving the theft of an Apple iPhone or iPad that removing them from the stats would show crime down in NYC for 2012. In fact, there were 3,484 more crimes committed in New York City during 2012 than in 2011. If the same number of Apple iDevices that were stolen last year, 11,737, were stolen this year, the tabloids would be talking about a safer New York in massive type on their front pages.

Mayor Bloomberg told Apple owners to be careful with their devices and even gave a helpful hint to try to prevent them from becoming a statistic. He suggested that Apple iPhone users refrain from putting the smartphone in a pocket. He said, "Don’t put it in a pocket where it’s easy to take out of your pocket without you noticing it." Units taken from an owner's pockets and possessions shot up 50% this year from 2,218 stolen last year to 3,340 this year.  

More ominous was the increase in the number of Apple iPhone and Apple iPad units taken by force or threat from 3,781 to 4,949 this year. That is a 31% gain in robberies and was matched by the 31% gain in the number of the devices that were purloined, or taken from a desk. Burglaries involving the Apple devices were up 24% to 3,029. The NYPD told owners of Apple devices that they should have them registered with the police. Precincts have engraving tools ready to help add serial numbers to the products making them harder to fence and easier to return to their rightful owners. The cops added that Apple models are targeted because of the heavy demand for the Apple iPhone and Apple iPad in the marketplace.

On September 21st of this year, when the Apple iPhone 5 launched in the States, New York Police sent people out to six Apple Stores to tell prospective iPhone owners that if they buy the phone, they should install the "Find My iPhone" app which would allow them to track their missing device.

"But if you took out thefts of Apple products — not Galaxies, Samsungs — just Apple products, our total crime rate would be lower than it was last year."-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City

source: NYPost