Apple Device Thefts Fueling Increase of Larcenies in New York City

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Posted January 13, 2014 at 6:33pm by iClarified

According to data from the NYPD (New York Police Department), there has been less crime in New York city in the previous 12 years -- unless you're the owner of an iOS Device like the iPhone or iPad.

Grand Larcenies involving thieves stealing cell phones and electronics have remained relatively stable, especially for Apple products. In the year 2013 alone, 8,465 thefts involved an Apple product, making up for nearly a fifth of all grand larcenies in the city.

A spokeswoman for the current NYPD administration, under Commissioner William Bratton, attributed the trend to the theft of electronic devices—and noted that grand larceny arrests have increased 13% comparing 2012 to 2013. A spokesman the mayor's office referred questions to the NYPD.

Apple and other electronics are often targeted because thieves want the "latest and greatest" technology as much as the next person, experts said.

"You'd have a spike in crime when some new thing came along: Michael Jordan sneakers or leather jackets…Walkmans, a new technology," said Eugene O'Donnell, a former NYPD officer who lectures at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "Just about everybody now has a hand-held mobile device that can be taken."

A spokeswoman for the company said Apple has "led the industry in helping customers protect their lost or stolen devices" since it launched its "Find My iPhone" app in 2009, which allows users to track a stolen phone and erase personal data remotely.

Apple's iOS Activation Lock has received praise from many organizations due to its ability to prevent the activation of stolen phones. The NYPD encourages Apple users to activate the Find my Iphone feature and even created a video with instructions

via WSJ

Apple Device Thefts Fueling Increase of Larcenies in New York City

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Jet - January 14, 2014 at 9:40am

It should be the opposite! With iOS 7 onwards, thefts can do nothing with a stolen iPhone/iPad. I hope they start to understand this.

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Bigjiba - January 14, 2014 at 12:19am

I remember some "xinjiang" person trying to sell me a gold 5s outside my apartment complex. They are legally allowed to carry knives in china and typically the pickpocketers. It would have been cheap. One thing. If the person had find my iPhone enabled then you probably couldn't erase the device. Two. Don't want to support the market. If there is no demand for stolen phones, thieves won't steal them. One of my friends actually has a iPhone with a broken power button. It's awesome because no one can turn it off. Or turn it on haha. But seriously, apple needs to integrate power off pass code lock and if legally possible the take the picture function to send out when requested. Also if lost mode is disable, also the inability to use another SIM card inside.

gamerscul9870 - January 14, 2014 at 12:01pm

If the power button is broken then the home button is the backup, technically still can be turned on, not off until the phone dies. What I would like to see Apple do is set restrictions from deleting the apps or changing anything if thieves plan to erase my memory on the phone. They will have no access to the phone in any way if Apple does this idea 100%.

qba - January 13, 2014 at 9:29pm

If you jailbreak the proper way, you will have option like (iCaughtYa ) and other apps that take photo and GeoTag location of the thief , disable the Power bottom and send it to an email account. And combination with (FindMyiPhone) it makes it very secured people, Stop complaining willYa!! and do what's right if you care about you personal device.

qba - January 13, 2014 at 9:23pm

iOS 7 update is not bad at all, is pretty secured with Activation and restoring FindMyiphone via Apple ID, and there is no hack for it at the moment sooo yes Update to it , is worth it.

gamerscul9870 - January 13, 2014 at 9:47pm

Since people don't want the look and want iOS 6 look, this was my idea since the birth of iOS 7, I know it is for redesigned everything but what I am waiting for is an update to move every ios 6 designed apps, web, siri, and anything else from ios 6 and 7.0.x style to be moved to 7.1 so everyone can switch between old and new looks to organize ios 7 however they want it either way! It's taken to a whole new level.

gamerscul9870 - January 13, 2014 at 9:48pm

This idea needs to be rumored if Apple wants more users for iOS 7 and this will end downgrading for good.

CyberBoB - January 13, 2014 at 7:53pm

Find my Iphone doesen't deter thieves because as soon they steal a Phone, they turn them off and later erase everything by restoring the phones. Believe me, got robbed twice and never got my phone back using the app. have even still pending the deleting of the phones in my app (sad souvenir of the event)

Juan Tamad - January 13, 2014 at 8:34pm

Go to Settings> General> Restrictions> Accounts> set to Don't allow changes. Assuming you have your Find my Iphone >On, no one can turn it off, except you OR that someone who knows your restrictions password of course.

Jet - January 14, 2014 at 9:41am

Even if you don't do that, with iOS7 it's impossible to turn Find My iPhone off without the password.

gamerscul9870 - January 13, 2014 at 7:10pm

Either people want to make money off of these or just switch to apple products after wasting money on androids (if that's what they thought).