MIAMI VALLEY-- Three cell phone stores in the Miami Valley are targeted by thieves in less than 24 hours.
The thieves are stealing expensive apple products including iPhones and iPads. The spike in crime has some police departments coining the crime act "apple picking. "
Three men broke into the Verizon Store Monday morning in Kettering. Surveillance video shows the thieves quickly grabbing as many phones and tablets as they can
"We watched the video and from the time they broke the door from the time they were out of the store was 20 seconds," Kettering Police Lt. William Karolyi said.
30 minutes before the Kettering break in, police believe these same thieves broke into the Sprint store at the Greene in Beavercreek and stole several phones and tablets.
On Sunday, the Cricket store on Needmore in Dayton was targeted, specifically for iPhones.
Police said the criminals are selling the stolen goods on the internet, on street corners or in convenience stores.
"Usually they are trying to get a turn around for a quick profit," says Kettering Police Officer Ron Roberts.
A robbery on Friday proves thieves aren't just hitting up stores, but stealing from people too.
University of Dayton student Katie James was walking to class when a man came up behind her, and he wasn't after her backpack or her purse.
"As I was putting my phone in my pocket, he grabbed it and took off," Katie said. The thief fractured Katie's nose. He was arrested and Katie got her phone back, but most victims aren't that lucky.
Police said phones are mini computers, holding all kinds of personal data like banking information.
Roberts said if your phone is ever lost or stolen use the "find my iPhone" feature to delete information so you won't be a victim of identity theft. "It limits access to your personal information," he said.
Police said it might also be a good idea to ditch your white ear buds in public, it lets thieves know what you have.
"Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you are alone," Roberts said.
The thieves are stealing expensive apple products including iPhones and iPads. The spike in crime has some police departments coining the crime act "apple picking. "
Three men broke into the Verizon Store Monday morning in Kettering. Surveillance video shows the thieves quickly grabbing as many phones and tablets as they can
"We watched the video and from the time they broke the door from the time they were out of the store was 20 seconds," Kettering Police Lt. William Karolyi said.
30 minutes before the Kettering break in, police believe these same thieves broke into the Sprint store at the Greene in Beavercreek and stole several phones and tablets.
On Sunday, the Cricket store on Needmore in Dayton was targeted, specifically for iPhones.
Police said the criminals are selling the stolen goods on the internet, on street corners or in convenience stores.
"Usually they are trying to get a turn around for a quick profit," says Kettering Police Officer Ron Roberts.
A robbery on Friday proves thieves aren't just hitting up stores, but stealing from people too.
University of Dayton student Katie James was walking to class when a man came up behind her, and he wasn't after her backpack or her purse.
"As I was putting my phone in my pocket, he grabbed it and took off," Katie said. The thief fractured Katie's nose. He was arrested and Katie got her phone back, but most victims aren't that lucky.
Police said phones are mini computers, holding all kinds of personal data like banking information.
Roberts said if your phone is ever lost or stolen use the "find my iPhone" feature to delete information so you won't be a victim of identity theft. "It limits access to your personal information," he said.
Police said it might also be a good idea to ditch your white ear buds in public, it lets thieves know what you have.
"Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you are alone," Roberts said.
