Warning - thief on bike evenings nr Park Pl + Vanderbilt

shmig

MOD NOTE: edited title of thread to give more info

I had my iphone stolen right out of my hand in front of the Met supermarket on Vanderbilt at about 8:30 last night. The same kid has done it a few times now in the same spot (Near corner of Vanderbilt and Prospect). He's on a bike and wears a black coat with red detailing. Police said he stole one the week before and punched the girl in the face (so I guess I should be grateful). Please be aware of your surroundings and don't walk with your iphones out. I learned the hard way even though I should have known better.

jgregorie

Sorry to hear that. I make it a habit now to never take my phone out of my pocket if im walking around the neighborhood at night. Any kind of small electronic device such as cell phones, cameras, laptops etc is a tempting target for these animals.

bkchickie

I'm sorry to read this, and I hope that you're OK. It's a good reminder to either not talk on the phone while walking, or if you need to talk while you're out, pull over to the side, so that you can keep an eye on your surroundings while having your chat.

And, it goes without saying (I hope) that using any headphoned device while walking around is just plain dumb.

brooklyngersh

This has been a rampant problem! The Brooklyn Paper did an awesome story about it — and it comes up every week in the police blotter. You guys should check it out!

The story: http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/51/32_51_gk_iphone_thefts.html

The blotter: http://www.brooklynpaper.com/sections/news/crime/

The Brooklyn Paper really deserves more credit!

GERSH
Editor
The Brooklyn Paper
Read us daily at http://www.brooklynpaper.com

arches

^ Too bad the blotter doesn't cover the 77th precinct, where this occured.

armchair_warrior

are you a dude or a girl? if he was alone doing it to a dude, he got balls.

i hope he gets caught and gets a good beating.

shmig

I'm a girl.

armchair_warrior

damn coward should get a extra beating to a inch of his life.

brookfetish

Subject: Re: Warning

shmig wrote: He's on a bike and wears a black coat with red detailing.

Damnit - I saw this thug hovering on his bike, on the corner outside of the dry cleaners. His demeanor/behavior/uneasy glances at me made me do a double take back at him and watch as I walked away.

From what I'm hearing and seeing, in general, young dudes in hoodies and on bikes...watch it.

rachel rae

Did you call ATT? The police can track the device usually and catch the guy.

Any luck?

paraderest

He struck again on Monday and Tuesday...Let's see what Wed. brings.

gardengrasscrap

That is a shame to hear. I feel I keep my eyes and ears aware of my surroundings when I am in the neighborhood but it shows you can never be too safe (or aware). I hope they find this person(s) who are doing these petty crimes.

extreme

I saw this guy last Wed. around 8 p.m. as I was walking home from the 7th Ave. Q stop. A 20-something woman was walking ahead of me up Park toward Vanderbilt. He was riding on the sidewalk toward me. He caught a glimpse of the woman as he passed her, and turned around to follow her--still riding, between her and me. That made me uneasy. I noticed that her bag wasn't hanging across her body, but over just one shoulder. He was watching her in the strangest way. Usually, I turn left at Vbilt, but she wasn't, so I decided to cross with her. She was a foot off the curb waiting for the light to change. He was behind her, still on his bike. I was behind him, pretending to fiddle with my phone while watching him watch her. Amazingly, the woman didn't look around. I don't think she noticed the guy behind her. I coughed loudly. He looked at me. I held his gaze for a moment. The light changed, and the three of us crossed, still in a row. She turned right. He followed. I followed. I coughed again, louder this time. He didn't look back. I held my phone up to my face, kept following. She turned into a building courtyard, he turned to follow her--still on his bike--I coughed as loud as I could. He turned to look at me, then did a U-turn and rode away quickly. Maybe he saw someone in the courtyard. Maybe he decided there were too many witnesses. Whatever the case, this dude needs to be arrested.

MOD

Hello! Report this to the cops Extreme. Your identification will be useful!

anthonycm

If you have an iPhone, and also subscribe to Moble Me, make sure "Find my iPhone" is turned on. You'll easily be able to track your phone if it is taken (as long as the thief doesn't think to make sure that function is off).

quig

Extreme, what Kind of bike?

gardengrasscrap

anthonycm, is there any way to use that feature - maybe an app? - if you do not use/have mobile me?

anthonycm

GardenGrassCrap wrote: anthonycm, is there any way to use that feature - maybe an app? - if you do not use/have mobile me?

Not that I'm aware of. I think some other phones also have location devices where you can track them from home, but I think Apple requires Moble Me. Looks like you can get it for around $72 from Amazon ($99 direct from Apple).

marla_singer

I have started to wear a watch. I used to pull out my phone to check the time, and by wearing a watch, it can stay in my pocket more often.

Also, turn on the keypad lock so that if it gets stolen, they can't get into it as easily. You can also turn on a setting that will erase everything on the phone if the passcode is entered incorrectly 10 times.

shmig

[quote="Extreme"]I saw this guy last Wed. around 8 p.m. as I was walking home from the 7th Ave. Q stop.

This was my exact experience. It's the same guy in the same location wearing the same coat around the same time. Not the most brilliant thief but he is getting away with it. He's definitely targeting women - so ladies be CAREFUL! Extreme: I wish you had been behind me Monday!

hamilton

Extreme, you should have asked her, can I speak to you for a moment and waited till he left , then make her aware of a potential problem.
Just following her could have put the both of you at risk.

rachel rae

Has anyone called the precinct ?

I think I will call them and so should you guys, we should request that a couple of squad cars pass around the neighborhood at night.

shmig

I called after mine was stolen. They know about the incidents where actual thefts have occurred. 2 detectives also came to my apt after the cops left. They seem to be taking it seriously. I thought I would just file a report and that would be the last I heard form them.

ltjbukem

saw 3 cops on foot today at about 6:45pm across from the Q stop on carlton tonight. wondering if they were responding to another one.

whynot_31

ParadeRest wrote: He struck again on Monday and Tuesday...Let's see what Wed. brings.

the police are aware

catwalkertexasranger

APB profile a black guy with a hoodie on bike riding around at 20 degrees. How many f.-cking people are riding a bike at this temp. Stop and frisk.

danielle123

You can't stop and frisk without a legal reason.

paraderest

catwalkertexasranger wrote: APB profile a black guy with a hoodie on bike riding around at 20 degrees. How many f.-cking people are riding a bike at this temp. Stop and frisk.

Actually, there are alot of f.-cking people riding bikes at this temp.

sweet tea

f.-cking while riding a bicycle is quite an accomplishment at any temperature!

hamilton

Is there a special lane for that.

whynot_31

Hamilton wrote: Is there a special lane for that.

well, not in cases where it offends the neighborhood residents.