Just us, or does it sound like the Tip Jar Posse have upped their game? Sounds like the same age kids, same location, same M.O. But now they've gone from 6 bucks in the tip jar to felony-grade electronics. Be careful out there, and guard your phones like you would your wallet.From Going Public:
"I'd like you to publish a robbery in your paper that happened on the [northbound] Red Line at Wilson station on June 3 at 5:30pm. I was sitting close to the train exit and was playing a game app on my iPhone. When the train was approaching the Wilson station, three kids came into the train compartment through the connecting door and were standing casually. They were all around age 13.
When the train stopped one of them grabbed the phone from my hand and jumped off the train. I was stunned!!! It took me few seconds to realize that I got robbed but I immediately started chasing the kid who took my iPhone. I became so tense that I stumbled and fell down twice chasing him down. Unfortunately I was not able to get hold of him before he exited the train entrance. I didn't want to continue chasing him outside the train station fearing he might have a bigger gang anywhere outside. I was pissed off that I left my shoulder bag and my jacket in the train and went chasing this kid. S ome good co-passenger passed my bag to the CTA lost and found and I was able to recover it from the station. I thank the co-passenger who took care of my personal belonging while I was on my chase."
Too bad and I wish you could have caught this young punk. Being under age the police and court system most likely not do much. In fact they might even arrest you if you roughed up the kid up once you caught him. By Montrose Harbor last weekend I seen a guy fishing get his laptop stolen by a young punk on a bike. Be alert when your outside on your phones. These punks for sure are looking to rip you.
ReplyDeleteThe new iPhones are coming out this Thursday and you can bet they will be target #1 for robbery all over the city. Be careful out there.
ReplyDeleteI personally never walk around listening to an ipod like so many people do. There is no easier target than someone walking down the street holding an Apple product not paying attention to what's going on around them. My wife walks home from the EL all the time listening tho her iPod and I warn her constantly that it's only a matter of time.
If I'm on the EL or a bus and I do have to use my iPhone, I always put it away a few stops before my final destination. It always amazes me how many people have laptops and expensive electronics out on the EL. When you are paying attention to your electronics instead of your surroundings, it's only a matter of time, especially when you cross into the den of crime that is the 46th ward :)
It is super sad to hear about this kind of stuff. Should anyone but you get your hands on your phone and you want to protect the data or even find it... look to some software to help. MobileMe can track down your iPhone for you but I dont think it can wipe the data... if you have an Android-based device then look to WaveSecure for a free app to track down your phone, or even wipe it completely using their website (wavesecure.com).
ReplyDeleteAs always though use a password/passcode on your device... it might be a nuisance using your phone but if something bad happens you'll know it's at least locked-down.
Is anyone else having Deja Vu?
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a post on UU earlier this year of a passenger getting robbed of an I-Phone while standing near the door AT WILSON.
In any case, yet another reminder to be careful and watch your back and watch out for each other.
I don't in any way want to discourage outsiders from coming to our community to shop at our new Target, but it would be nice to draw attention to the fact that the Wilson stop is the stop you would use if you were an outsider coming to Target by Train.
Not only can you track your iPhone with MobleMe but you can send it messages AND wipe the data using any device with internet access.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate having to deal with typing in a passcode every time I use my phone, It should keep the data secure long enough for me to wipe it just in case.
For those who absolutely have to get the new iPhone when it comes out, be very careful, you will be priority #1 for theft; especially on the EL.
DON'T walk around with your $600 electronics hanging out! If you're playing a game, its pretty likely that you're absorbed enough in that game to not be aware of your surroundings.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for Target. I hope they have a descent shoplifting budget planned, and have a ton of security. That place is going to get robbed blind in Uptown.
ReplyDeleteTarget is not unlike other upstanding citizens who move into Uptown. They will either be victimized and leave, or they will stand up for their interests, do what's right, and not put up with that s**t from the domestic terrorists and other criminals that pepper our community.
ReplyDeletedid any of these twerps have have a baby face and cornrows and stood about 5'5"?
ReplyDeletennssls,
ReplyDeleteDON'T blame the victim. We should all be able to own half-way decent stuff without someone wanting to steal it from us.
Somewhat off-topic, but does anyone else find the emergency-exit door phenomenon (for lack of a better vocabulary) interesting?
ReplyDeleteThere's a certain kind of person that apparently feels compelled to use those doors when the train is in operation. They're not all beggars / robbers, either. No, I think it's an odd sort of acting out. Does anyone else have ideas on this?
Kevin, the other morning I stood by the emergency door as there were no available seats on the train. Something caught the corner of my eye; that something was a guy standing outside between trains as it was moving. I didn't see him there earlier, so he must have moved outside while my back was turned. He jumped back onto the other train at the next stop. WEIRD!
ReplyDeleteKevin, I am with you. There is definitely a certain type of person that does this. It drives me nuts, especially when they hit my feet with the door.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad they are abused for non-emergencies.
^people stand between the trains to go to the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteI learned my lesson about walking around in an iPhone daze the same way. Some punk on a bike (not a kid) rode by fast and swiped it from my hand. Felt like a fool, of course, but I stopped zoning out on trains and such while engrossed in a game or texting. And if I MUST text, I now grip that new phone tighter than boa on a mouse.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with Pablo more... if we let these few... these minority of the population... dictate how we use our belongings then we've already lost the 'war' as it were.
ReplyDelete"people stand between the trains to go to the bathroom."
ReplyDeleteYuck.
I was at the Harrison stop last week and some cops were reading a kid the riot act about crossing between the train cars. They didn't catch his buddy. I think for beggars its the easiest way to work the train rather than get off, get on at each stop.
I can also see it as a small act of "defiance".
Keep your valuables hidden! Period! Would you ride the train/bus with $500.00, prominently displayed in your hand? I know! I know! Playing with your phone doesn't give someone the right to take it, but that is the world we live in.
ReplyDeletePS
I hope they catch the bastards.
Its too bad you can't conceal carry in Chicago. Because if you could, I would look forward to the day some punk tries to steal my iPhone.
ReplyDelete