'Apple picking' phone theft increasing on CTA

July 11, 2011 (CHICAGO)

In addition, thieves have been stealing other electronic devices.

According to The Chicago Tribune, 581 robberies were reported on CTA property in 2010. That's an average of 48 a month.

There were 294 robberies reported through the first half of this year, an average of 59 a month. That is a 23 percent increase.

Police say phone robbers often pounce on victims when a train stops at a station and the doors open. They urge CTA riders to keep their smart phones out of sight.

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