Recently, Palmdale Sheriff Station has seen an increase in cell phone thefts in and around the area. Because cell phones are now an everyday part of life, and most everyone carries one, criminals are finding it easier to steal them. With the popularity of smartphones in society today, people are storing more and more personal information on their devices. Once your device has been stolen, it is relatively easy for individuals to obtain this private information before clearing the memory and reselling the device.
Detectives have found a few common denominators in relation to cell phone thefts and have provided the following safety tips which may reduce the likelihood of being a victim of cell phone theft.
Be aware of your surroundings. Do not walk down the street talking on your phone oblivious of your environment. Thieves are looking for victims who are distracted.
While in public, do not leave your phone unattended; put it away after use.
If you become a victim of a crime, call the police as soon as possible. Do not wait until you arrive at your destination.
Activate the GPS tracking system on your phone or other electronic device. If the device does not have a GPS tracking system, there is after-market software available. By having these applications installed on the devices, police personnel may locate the suspects and perhaps, recover your phone.
If you are a victim of a cell phone theft and see the suspect, do not attempt to recover your property. Attempt to secure a good description of the suspect and/or any involved vehicles (license number, color, and model) and the last known direction of travel. Let the Sheriff's Department attempt to locate and arrests the person(s) responsible.
Use the security lock code, or PIN feature, to lock your phone.
Make a record of all your phone information, including serial number model and make, and keep this in a safe place.
Consider carefully what information you store on your cell phone. If it would create too big of a disaster if it fell into someone else's hands, don't store it. You may not prevent someone from taking your phone, but you can prevent them from accessing important information.
For questions and further information, contact:
Deputy Robbie Royster
Palmdale Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(661) 272-2520
Partner to prevent or report crime by calling Palmdale Sheriff's Station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/
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