(Photo courtesy: Matt Helms, Twitter)
DETROIT, Mich. – The Detroit Police Department was handing out flyers to people Tuesday morning to alert them about thefts involving iPhones.
According to the Twitter page of Matt Helms, the city hall reporter for the Detroit Free Press, police were handing out information in the downtown area.
The flyer shows a headline which states, “You Just Got Apple Picked.”
The flyer states, “Because iPhones seem particularly attractive to thieves (who can sell them quickly for cash) this criminal trend has actually acquired a name: “Apple Picking” and has been the subject of several national news stories. Please be advised to take extra precautions when using your phone. Be aware that displaying your phone is the same as displaying cash to a thief, so keep your phone out of sight when not using it. Be aware of your surroundings before stopping to take your phone out to text, make a call, etc. If you notice any suspicious activity, please don’t hesitate to call the Detroit Police Department (313) 596-1300. In the event of an emergency please call 911. Please strongly consider registering for Apple’s built-in GPS tracking application Find My iPhone to assist in tracking a stolen iPhone. Registering can be crucial to the recovery of the phone. If your phone is stolen, do not use the app to try to recover it yourself. Immediately call the Detroit police, who will assist you. We have successfully recovered several iPhones and iPads recently and have been able to return them to their owners and arrest the thieves. Thank you and stay safe. Sincerely, James E. Craig, Chief of Detroit Police Department.”
