Jan 27, 2009 6:57 pm US/Eastern
Cell Phone Lust Spikes Crime On NYC Subways
NYPD: Sidekicks, BlackBerrys Popular Targets; Crime Increase On Rails Due Almost Entirely To PDA Theft
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The iPhone81902422. NYPD says these high-tech gadgets are prime attraction for subway thieves.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
You may want to hide your cell phone when you're in the subway. After declining for years, subway robberies are up sharply because thieves are snatching cell phones.
They're the technological toys that are tempting targets on the train -- smart phones now being swiped more than ever.
"You know if it gets stolen, I'd rather let it get stolen than get stabbed or something like that," subway rider Anya Muniz told CBS 2 HD.
Cassandre Deus has the Mercedes of models -- the T Mobile Sidekick. Armed with a camera, music player and email, the Sidekick is stolen more than any other phone but thanks to a handy wristband, Deus is hardly daunted.
"I'm never afraid that anybody is going to steal it," Deus said.
But police say all too often, phones are being snatched on the subway. Of last year's 823 subway robberies, more than a third were for cell phones. In December 2007 there were 70 robberies but a year later, 111, a jump of 59 percent.
Police say the easiest marks are the riders near the doors. Thieves time it so that just as the doors are about to close, they make their grab and take off, leaving the victim trapped inside the train, and helpless to do anything about it.
"People steal things, they always have," rider Matt Smucker said. "And you know it's desperate times, there's a lot of desperation right now."
Desperation that now has some designing new defenses.
"I make it a point to keep it on my inside pocket," rider Damien Calmenson said.
"Now that you mention it, I think I will keep a more secure eye on it," Andy Linton added.
But Deus said her toy is secure enough.
"I guess I live in New York so I'm just like whatever … I don't really care. I don't think anybody is going to take my phone," Deus said.
That's what most people might think, until it happens.
Police are going undercover to catch the thieves. And officers are using bullhorns to get the word out that passengers need to be careful when it comes to their valuable possessions.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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