The NYPD has formed a dedicated team of officers tasked with trying to recover stolen Apple devices, reports the New York Post.
“We’re looking for ways to find individuals who have stolen Apple products and return the products to their original owners,” said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne. “It is being done to learn the pattern who is stealing.”
Every time an Apple device is stolen, detectives attempt to get tracking numbers from the victim or online records. That number, known as the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, is then shared with the officers in Police Headquarters who pass it on to Apple.
Apple then informs the NYPD of the device's location even if it has been switched to a different carrier. One iPad was tracked all the way to the Dominican Republic. Another suspect was caught trying to sell stolen iPads a city bus stop.
“We staked out the bus stop, ID’d the suspect and arrested him. We recovered the iPad,” said Browne, who also noted that 74% of stolen Apple devices resurface within the five boroughs.
A sharp increase in Apple device thefts last year is said to be responsible for New York City's first increase in overall crime in 20 years.
Read More [via 9to5Mac]
“We’re looking for ways to find individuals who have stolen Apple products and return the products to their original owners,” said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne. “It is being done to learn the pattern who is stealing.”
Every time an Apple device is stolen, detectives attempt to get tracking numbers from the victim or online records. That number, known as the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, is then shared with the officers in Police Headquarters who pass it on to Apple.
Apple then informs the NYPD of the device's location even if it has been switched to a different carrier. One iPad was tracked all the way to the Dominican Republic. Another suspect was caught trying to sell stolen iPads a city bus stop.
“We staked out the bus stop, ID’d the suspect and arrested him. We recovered the iPad,” said Browne, who also noted that 74% of stolen Apple devices resurface within the five boroughs.
A sharp increase in Apple device thefts last year is said to be responsible for New York City's first increase in overall crime in 20 years.
Read More [via 9to5Mac]