Mobile phones used to be an easy score. Today they're trackable and lockable, making the more desirable models — particularly iPhones — worth almost nothing. Criminals know this, which is why iPhone thefts have plummeted.
A friend recently had her phone stolen right out of her hand. They police were able to catch the kid fairly quickly, and return the phone. They said that they call it 'apple picking', and it is fairly common. I was surprised because smart phones are so easily tracked/locked.
Co-worker had his stolen from the gym. Reported it stolen - and thus it locked itself. Got contacted from guy in Russia who was PISSED that the phone he paid $$$ for was locked. Co-worker said "no way in hell am I going to unlock" phone. Got pictures of smashed iPhone.
Granted, the "end user" got burnt, not the thief... but the end result is the stolen phone was worthless. Co-worker is out an uninsured, stolen iPhone... the purchaser is out a phone purchase on eBay (I presume).
A friend recently had her phone stolen right out of her hand. They police were able to catch the kid fairly quickly, and return the phone. They said that they call it 'apple picking', and it is fairly common. I was surprised because smart phones are so easily tracked/locked.