foiled iPhone theft

Someone tried to steal my iPhone around 5:40 pm today while I was walking my dog on Prospect Place, between Vanderbilt and Underhill.

Tall, young black man in late teens or early 20's. No facial hair, head had short or closely shaved hair. On a bike. Wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt.

He rode onto the sidewalk and pulled up by me while I was typing on my phone. When I looked up, he demanded my phone, threatening to shoot me, tugging at his pants as if he had a gun hidden there. I refused and raised my voice, he threatened me again, I got loud and told him I'd set my dog on him. I bent down to unleash my dog, at which point he rode away.

Keep your eyes open.

Wow I was walking up that block around the same time. Thanks for posting.

Can we assume the police have been notified?

I didn't notify the police because I didn't actually see a gun and he did not actually rob me.

Still better to file a police report then not to. By the way I would have given him my phone better safe than shot.

Don't have enough $$ to buy new phone, which is what I told the thief.

Hmm. This would be my first time filing. What is the precinct here, 77th?

Yes, please do file. You never know, this guy could pull off a future robbery/assault/or worse and your eyewitness report may be valuable. If anything, it will at least let police know to keep an eye on that street.

There was a rash of these type snatch and go thefts a little while back and many of them by people on bikes. After numerous complaints/reports there was a larger police presence and it died down for a while.

yup, streets east of Vanderbilt are the domain of the 77th Pct.

Here is a Pct map: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precinct_maps/precinct_finder.shtml#

Here are the contact numbers for the 77th Pct: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_077.shtml

Glad you are ok. Please call the police, the young man you describe may be able to be charged with a crime.

Yes, please file a report. Police resources are allocated based on need and if many crimes go unreported, the department will consider them non-existent.

BTW, it seems that having an android or blackberry now amounts to a crime prevention strategy. Criminals are brand-selective and only want iPhones.

I was just thinking today that phone theft season should be starting soon. Once the summer ends gunshot season slows down and phone thefts pick up, especially once the time change happens. Thanks for posting this.

Agree with jack Kron's analysis on this one. Safer to not have an I Phone. I happen to have one and I am super careful about using it on the street.

Don't have enough $$ to buy new phone, which is what I told the thief.

I'm glad you're okay and that you still have your phone - and that you made me laugh. You made me think of the "Ain;t noby got time for that" lady.

You should have shot him with the camera on your phone.