Increase in iPhone and iPad Thefts Accounts for Rise in New York City Crime Index - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Increase in iPhone and iPad Thefts Accounts for Rise in New York City Crime Index

iphone passcode lock iconThe New York Times reports that New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg today released crime data for the city as 2012 draws to a close, noting that a slight increase in the overall major crime index for the city can be entirely accounted for by an increase in iPhone and iPad thefts.

As of Monday, the Police Department recorded 3,484 more major crimes in 2012 than for the same period last year. The increase in Apple product thefts: 3,890. [...]

“If you just took away the jump in Apple, we’d be down for the year,” said Marc La Vorgna, the mayor’s press secretary.

Thefts of Apple devices have naturally grown as their popularity has increased, and police in New York and other cities have been working to break up extensive rings of thieves and dealers trading in stolen iPhones and other electronics. Last year it was reported that in some New York City precincts more than half of the robberies in some months involved iPhones.

Today's report also notes that police have been emphasizing efforts to address theft on the city's subways, which are popular locations for gadget thefts due to the crowds and easy getaway opportunities.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27 Feature 1

50 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27 - Out Now!

Monday September 14, 2026 10:48 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27 this week, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features to explore, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. Which iPhones Support Every iOS 27 Feature? This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though,...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...

Top Rated Comments

ConCat Avatar
179 months ago
I wonder how long before Samsung films an ad, mocking iPhone users for exposing themselves to theft.

"Buy our cheap crap! It won't get stolen!"
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe-Diver Avatar
179 months ago
I wonder how long before Samsung films an ad, mocking iPhone users for exposing themselves to theft.

Samsung Execs are scratching their heads, wondering how they can get people to steal the Galaxy S3....and then they can make a commercial about stupid, out of touch thieves stealing the iPhone......
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
179 months ago
So along with 32oz sodas, he's now going to ban Apple products in the city. :) :p
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
179 months ago
So along with 32oz sodas, he's now going to ban Apple products in the city. :) :p

Well by comparison, he would allow you to bring a 16 GB, but not the 32 or 64. But you're also ok to bring 2 of the 16 GB models. :rolleyes:
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
179 months ago
If Only Assault Rifles Were Legal

There is a simple solution to this problem. We need more guns in our inner cities to prevent crime. We need an assault rifle store on every block in Manhattan. That will teach these theives a lesson.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
179 months ago
Playing with statistics to make a lame excuse!

The increase in Apple products is due to growth in smartphone numbers and probably offset by decreased number of regular phone thefts.

If Apple hadn't increased, those others wouldn't have gone down as much and the crime number would still be bigger.

This is just some politician trying to give a reasonable sounding explanation why something else caused a problem and he shouldn't be blamed.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)