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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:53 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
