Keep your High-Tech on the Down-Low

Sunday we had a close call. We came very close to being mugged and robbed. So a word to wise: Be cautious when using your iPhone on the street.

It was late afternoon and we were looking for a restaurant to eat at before going to see a play at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. We stopped in front of a storefront on Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley, CA. The sidewalk was busy with pedestrians walking past. E paused under a tree and pulled out his iPhone to open one of his apps to try to find the name of restaurant we had been to before.

Suddenly, a young man grabs his arm, almost knocks him down, and goes for his iPhone. The phone drops and slides on sidewalk. Both E and the thief grab it, struggle, and E wins (all the time screaming 'THIEF'.) People nearby barely look.

Fortunately my husband is okay. He was a bit shaken but at least he didn't get stabbed or hurt as some folks are. It was so sudden. We were stunned that no one on a very crowded street hardly paused or turned a head, even as we ran after him shouting. Luckily E’s iPhone still works!

Our friend Mike reminds all; “As a PSA to everyone, you should turn on "Find my iPhone" on your i-devices to track them if they are stolen. It's a free service as of this past year, and you can track the device from any computer by just going to me.com. You can also remote wipe them too."

Our daughter advises: “Also, be careful on public transit too, especially when you are pulling up to a stop.”