Man Steals iPhone 4 From Undercover Cop On Subway

Japanese iPhone 4 fans (AP)

Just a week after the NYPD announced that iPhones—especially the iPhone 4—are targets for subway thefts, the cops announce that they arrested a man for stealing an iPhone 4 on a 4 train. And the iPhone 4's owner turned out to be an undercover cop. Kasseim Thomas, 47, was busted in the Bronx, but cops started noticing him when he was getting on and off a train at 59th Street and Lexington—Lt. Kevin Callaghan said, "That raised our suspicion level. That's how pickpockets work on the trains."

A group of cops were on the Lexington Avenue line to look for pickpockets accused of previous crimes. According to WCBS 2, "Callaghan said Thomas “began to crowd the plainclothes officer” and had a sweatshirt over his hand as he reached into the cop’s backpack and removed the iPhone." Thomas has dozens of arrests for grand larceny and Callaghan said, "He a habitual offender, who just does his jail time, comes back out and regresses right back to the stuff he knows."

Callaghan added, "People are very engrossed in using their iPhone or BlackBerry. They don’t seem to think it’s a problem. People just have to be cognizant of who’s around them and that these valuables are attractive to criminals." Also, just don't let strangers hold your precious gadgets when they ask you to, okay?

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By Jen Chung in News on April 30, 2011 10:39 AM

Comments [rss]

PFOOMA

Post a mug shot so we know what this douche looks like Gothamist

newUsername

so he'll be out in a couple weeks doing it again? Can somebody please push him in front of a train?

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

Operation Lucky Bag with human attached to it.

NlGGAZ

If you don't want to get your iphone stolen it's motherfucking simple. When you get into the subway car and if someone looks like he's a bad extra from a rap video. Then don't take it out. Works every single time.

Ash

Wow, see black people and hide your iphones? Racist. I guess since I'm black, I should hide the iPad that I use on the train everyday, from myself. The next time your on the train, I hope a muslim extremist sees you.