Mugging
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SF, NY prosecutors launching 'Save our Smartphones' anti-theft initiative today
The Attorney General of New York and District Attorney of San Francisco are teaming up with police and government groups to cut down on smartphone-related muggings. George Gascón (SF) and Eric Schneiderman (NY) will announce "Save our Smartphones" at a summit in New York later today, after meeting with representatives from Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft. The scheme aims to introduce a universal "kill switch," similar to iOS 7's Activation Lock, that'll render stolen phones worthless across all makes and models -- preventing this sort of thing from becoming a hazard of modern living.
New Hampshire man is victim of first recorded iPad theft
Someone has to be first, I suppose. Straight from the police iBlotter in Manchester, NH, the Union Leader reports that a broad-daylight iPad theft was perpetrated in the parking lot of a Best Buy on South Willow Street. Mohamed Aboutaleb of Dover had just bought his new iPad in the store (capacity and accessories not known) when he was the victim of a shove-and-grab theft. The teenage thief then fled with Aboutaleb's magical and revolutionary shopping bag via a getaway car driven by another teenager. While progress is being made on the iPad jailbreak (via Dev Team member MuscleNerd), these real-world lawbreakers are still unidentified and on the loose. Anyone with information about the iMugging is encouraged to contact the Manchester police department. As a public safety reminder, whenever you are carrying easily-identifiable high value packages around (such as an Apple Store or other electronics chain shopping bag), be aware of your surroundings as you return your purchases to your car or if you are using public transport. Putting your new gadgets in the trunk and proceeding to do other shopping isn't advisable either. To answer the question posed in comments: yes, you can activate MobileMe's location tools with your iPad to track it down, but that's not really an option if it's grabbed in the parking lot before you sync it up. Thanks Marc! Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/banspy/ / CC BY 2.0
Think tank pins Apple's iPod as possible culprit for increase in violent crime
We know what you're thinking, and trust us, we're right there with you. Nevertheless, The Urban Institute, a Washington-based think tank, has reportedly come to the conclusion that the reason US violent crime rose in 2005 and 2006 after declining every year since 1991 is because more iPods were on the streets. You heard right -- these researchers are suggesting that the "iCrime wave" occurred primarily due to the popularity of Apple's darling and the relatively high value of possessing one. Granted, the iPod has been the focal point of quite a few muggings in the past, but blaming a fruit-flavored PMP for a nation's sudden urge to take up larceny? Pfft.
Thieves break through Gamestop wall with sledgehammer [update 1]
The Florida Times-Union is reporting a group of thieves broke through the cement wall of a Jacksonville, Fla., Gamestop with a sledgehammer and made off with 13 Xbox 360s within. The thieves cut the store's power, took the security tapes and scattered about a group of empty PS3 boxes, leading store manager Mark King to theorize the thieves "really wanted to get a PlayStation 3." Just goes to show you that Sony's shortages are hurting the criminal element as well.The article goes on to stress how common-place video game and electronics thefts are these days, both for businesses and personal property. Indeed, the Orlando Sentinel has a report of a new Playstation 3 owner getting mugged for her system on the way from the store to her car. So if you do manage to track down one of those rare PS3 units, may we humbly suggest that you watch your back.[Update: Fixed typo in manager's name. Thanks HotShotX.]Read - Gamestop sledgehammer thievesRead - Woman mugged for PS3
New cameraphone feature to help deter muggers
Living in a large metropolis has its drawbacks and crime is one of them. Chances are pretty good that you know someone who has been a victim of a mugging; if not, you have certainly read about it. In this new age of technology, your cellphone may be your latest line of protection. A new patented system would equip camera phones with a panic button; in times of distress, the camera is pointed up at the assailant and the panic button is pressed. Pertinent information such as your location, the picture of the attacker are stored on a server for later use by the police. Now, if we can just get those pesky muggers stop and say 'cheese' for us. [Via Textually.org]
London thugs grabbing iPods
Its hard out there for a London iPod listener. It would seem that muggings are up on the streets of fair London and the Bobbies blame iPods (and other expensive portable electronics). Luckily, the good fellows at Crave Talk have a few ways of concealing your iPod from would be attackers. Most of the methods are rather imaginative (some are even rather impressive) though I think they might be more fun to write about than actually do.I say, wear black headphones and be ever vigilant. It is a dangerous world out there.
Thomas Pink's iPod-concealing Commuter Shirt
The designers at Thomas Pink must get their iPods jacked on a regular basis, because they've followed up on their nano-concealing tie with the "Commuter Shirt" that hides your DAP, cellphone, or PDA under even more clothing, and includes a second secret spot under one cuff for storing your credit cards. We're assuming that the demand for this shirt stems from the fact that today's mugger regularly reads Engadget, and is easily able to identify and snatch that signature pink tie right off the necks of unsuspecting businessmen. The less-flashy blue or white "Commuter Shirt" should help alleviate this problem somewhat by tucking that 'Pod into an inner pocket by the wearer's stomach, with built-in channeling to ensure snag-free movement. Now, if they can only figure out a way to hide that crease and lump in your shirt which muggers will soon be looking for on everyone not wearing a pink tie.[Via GigaOm and TUAW]
