SYRACUSE -- Responding to what the department calls "an uptick of local cellphone thefts," the Syracuse Police Department is making recommendations to cell phone owners.
The department is asking those with cellphones that have GPS capabilities to enable the GPS on their phone to aid in tracking and locating of the phone in the event that it is lost or stolen. Police say owners should also have current applications activated on the device to allow tracking of the cell phone, and should password protect the cell phone.
In a news release issued Wednesday night, police revealed the most common method of local cell phone theft happens when the suspect approaches the victim and asks them to borrow their cell phone to place a call. Once the victim produces a cell phone and gives it to the suspect, the suspect either flees on foot with the cell phone, or sometimes the suspect uses physical force to steal the cell phone from the victim.
Syracuse Police Department are also seeking assistance from local cell phone stores by requesting that they confirm that customers requesting a flash service are actually the owners of the phone. Anyone with questions regarding anti-theft and tracking applications for their specific cell phone should contact their cell phone service provider.
