The commander of MPD’s 2nd Police District issued another alert yesterday warning of an uptick–again–in street robberies of iPhones.
Commander Matthew Klein said there were at least six reported incidents over the past weekend in which the victim had the iPhone snatched from his or her hand while talking on the phone.
“In two of those cases over the weekend, the suspect first engaged the victims in conversation by asking if they could look up directions on their phones, then snatched the iPhones and ran off,” Klein said.
Klein also warned that it is not a good idea to leave an iPhone or other expensive “Smart Phone” lying on a restuarnat table, particularly outdoors. In addition, it is dangerous to talk on a cell phone while alone at night in an area where there are few other people around.
These types of cell phones appeal to criminals because they can be easily reprogrammed, or erased, and sold for quick cash. Klein issued similar warnings in Jauary and May. MPD’s 2nd District includes Police Service Area (PSA) 208, which serves the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhoods.
Related Posts
This map (click to view larger image) shows the locations of the 11 violent crimes that occurred in the Borderstan crime area (highlighted in yellow) between July 14 and August 13. There were 7 robberies without a gun, 3 robberies with a gun, and 1 assault with a deadly weapon (no gun). Source and image: MPD Crime Search database.
This map (click to view larger image) shows the locations of the 26 violent crimes that occurred in PSA 208 (mostly the Dupont Circle area, highlighted in yellow) between July 14 and August 13. There were 17 robberies without a gun, 3 robberies with a gun, and 6 assaults with a deadly weapon (no gun). Source and image: MPD Crime Search database.
The following message is from Commander Matt Klein, head of the MPD’s Second District. Klein explains measures he has put in place in response to several armed robberies that occurred recently in Borderstan.
Police Service Area (PSA) 208 is part of 2D and covers the Dupont Circle area, including western Borderstan. The armed robbery at 14th & P NW occurred in PSA 307, which covers primarily the Logan Circle area including eastern Borderstan.
From Commander Klein:
One stop on the March 19 Borderstan Night-Safety Walk Around was the north-south alley between Q and Corcoran Streets just west of 14th Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez, Luis Gomez Photos.)
About 15 Borderstanians met Thursday evening at 15th and T Streets NW for the Borderstan Night-Safety Walk Around. The group walked south on 15th to Rhode Island Avenue, stopping along the way and taking quick detours up certain blocks.
Residents pointed out areas that need lighting or better lighting and areas that are prone to different types of crime.
Borderstanians: Following is detailed info on the five robberies that occurred in neighborhoods around Rock Creek Park on Monday evening. This information is from Acting Commander Matt Klein of the MPD Second District. None of the holdups were in Dupont Circle or Logan Circle; all were west or northwest of us.
The Second District of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has a new Acting Commander: Matthew Klein. West Borderstan (west of 15th Street) is part of the Second District, in PSA 208. Here is the info on Klein from the Second District’s Web page:
Inspector Matthew Klein joined the Metropolitan Police Department in June 1989 and quickly rose through the ranks, achieving the rank of sergeant in 1993, lieutenant in 1994 and captain in 1997. In 2004, Klein was promoted to Inspector and placed in charge of the Internal Affairs Division. In that position, Inspector Klein oversaw all internal investigations for the department, to include serious uses of force, misconduct and corruption, and the agency’s compliance with the Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Throughout his career, Inspector Klein has served in a variety of assignments, including the Seventh District as a patrol officer, the Second District as a sergeant, the Seventh District as a lieutenant, and the Fourth District as a captain. In 1999, Klein was transferred to the Special Operations Division where he served as the commanding officer of the Emergency Response Team.
On Sunday, October 26, 2008, Klein was moved to the Second District as the acting commander.
Inspector Klein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
