Among the world's most popular gadgets, sales of apple products are booming and so is the number of eye-thefts in New York.
Bernardo Martinez is among a growing list of victims.
"My IPod, it was stolen a while ago. I guess they stole it because it was worth some money – easy to resell it," said Martinez.
"Everything is a target."
Fueled by targeted Apple thefts, some Precincts have seen a spike in crimes recently. In the West Village and Meatpacking district, Crime Stats show the number of Grand Larcenies is up 42 percent this year compared to 2012.
"Keep it in my pocket. I don't take it out passed a certain hour – sometimes I don't even bring it out," said one iPhone customer.
In a recent crime a man fell asleep on the subway and his iPhone was stolen. He used the find my iPhone app and it helped police track it to a general location. When they heard the alarm pinging from a man's pocket, they took the suspect into custody.
In another case, a man stole a woman's phone and accidentally posted a picture of himself smoking marijuana on her Facebook page -- officers are still looking for him.
"It's the gold chain of the 21st Century because it is incredibly valuable in the open market – the black market."
Tech expert Shelly Palmer says the NYPD's new partnership with Apple intended to help track stolen devices will help.
"I wish the phone company and Apple would get together and render these devices into bricks, but since they haven't, the next best thing is what the NYPD has done with Apple," said Palmer.
"Sometimes the best defense -- is a little common sense," said Karen Alon.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:18:24 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
