Attempted iPhone Theft near Prospect Park Tennis Courts

A neighbor send this account of the attempted theft of her iPhone earlier this week:

Was leaving Prospect Park around 5pm by the tennis courts when three teenagers walked past me. One reached out and tried to grab my iPhone. I held onto it and raised enough of a commotion that they ran off, but just a heads up to everyone: it’s not like I was dangling it or not paying attention to it. I was literally scrolling through my contacts as he tried to grab it, so people are getting more aggressive about trying to steal your iPhone and doing it in broad daylight, in very public places. I will definitely be more aware in the future, and am pretty bummed that someone attempted to rob me in my own neighborhood, where I’ve always felt pretty safe.

Thefts of electronic gadgets like iPhones have been on the rise in NYC, and we’ve heard reports from the 70th Precinct about iPhones and other devices being grabbed on the subway and on local streets. A reminder to stay safe and aware no matter where you are.

Also, if you’d like to add some protection to your gadget, stop by the 70th Precinct’s annual National Night Out Against Crime this coming Tuesday, where they will be etching devices with numbers that can help reconnect you to your belongings if they are lost or stolen. If you can’t make it, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 718-851-5504, which does the free etching throughout the year.