Apple's mobile devices accounted for 18 percent of all grand larcenies in the Big Apple last year, says The Wall Street Journal. January 13, 2014 5:52 AM PST (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) The iPhone and iPad are chart-toppers among criminals as well as consumers. More than 8,000 thefts of Apple's mobile products were recorded last year by the New York Police Department, The Wall Street Journal said late Sunday. That number is more than 18 percent of all the grand larcenies reported to the department in 2013. In comparison, only 25 grand larcenies of Apple products were recorded in 2002, a year after the first iPod debuted. Thefts of Apple products are so widespread that the NYPD now tracks that specific brand. Many of those crimes occur on public transportation where people are focused on their device and not paying to their surroundings, retired NYPD detective Joseph Giacalone told the Journal. Finding the crooks isn't easy since many victims won't spend the time looking at mug shots, Giacalone added. Those arrested often plead down to a lesser charge to avoid jail time. Apple's "Find my iPhone" app tries to help owners locate and lock a lost or stolen phone, a program encouraged by the NYPD, the Journal added. Last year, the department also initiated a program called "Operation ID," whereby owners of mobile phones and tablets can register those devices at their local precinct.
Apple's mobile devices accounted for 18 percent of all grand larcenies in the Big Apple last year, says The Wall Street Journal.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
The iPhone and iPad are chart-toppers among criminals as well as consumers.
More than 8,000 thefts of Apple's mobile products were recorded last year by the New York Police Department, The Wall Street Journal said late Sunday. That number is more than 18 percent of all the grand larcenies reported to the department in 2013. In comparison, only 25 grand larcenies of Apple products were recorded in 2002, a year after the first iPod debuted.
Thefts of Apple products are so widespread that the NYPD now tracks that specific brand. Many of those crimes occur on public transportation where people are focused on their device and not paying to their surroundings, retired NYPD detective Joseph Giacalone told the Journal.
Finding the crooks isn't easy since many victims won't spend the time looking at mug shots, Giacalone added. Those arrested often plead down to a lesser charge to avoid jail time.
Apple's "Find my iPhone" app tries to help owners locate and lock a lost or stolen phone, a program encouraged by the NYPD, the Journal added. Last year, the department also initiated a program called "Operation ID," whereby owners of mobile phones and tablets can register those devices at their local precinct.
