YES: They Still Want Your Phone

A warning sign posted on streets around
Hoxton, in London’s East End.

A recently-passed city ordinance that requires businesses that unlock cell phones to provide the phone and customers’ information to police has not put a damper on the local phone theft industry.

Only one of three recent incidents resulted in a police report being filed, so the other two will not be counted in the city’s crime statistics. Yessir, crime is definitely down.

Thursday, 12:30AM – CTA police say a CTA customer has reported a cell phone theft at the Belmont Red Line station. The victim is gone when officers arrive. No report.

Thursday, 8:04PM – Private security has pinned a man who stole another man’s phone on the street in the 600 block of Patterson. One arrest for theft. CPD case HX281734

Wednesday, 2:58PM – A woman reports that her iPhone was stolen off the counter at Caribou Coffee, 3300 N Broadway. The thief—described as male, black, 18 to 22 years old, with highlights in his hair—was last seen running toward Halsted on Aldine with “a large group of kids.” No report.

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About CWBChicago 4272 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com