Police Blotter: Three Teens Rob Victim of iTouch Near Marcy Houses

Crime is up 68 percent in the 79^th precinct for the week of January 2 through January 8 (42 incidents versus 25 incidents), compared to this same time period in 2011. For the past month, crime is up 37 percent (136 incidents versus 99 incidents), compared to this same 28-day period last year. And year to date, crime is up 61 percent (45 incidents versus 28 incidents), compared to this same time period in 2011.

Four iPhone Robberies:

On Wednesday, January 11, at approximately 9:45pm, a man was robbed of his iPhone at gunpoint. According to the police report, a 33-year-old man was walking on Monroe Street near Bedford Avenue, talking on his iPhone when an unknown person approached him from behind and tapped him on the back.  The perpetrator then opened his jacket and displayed a silver firearm and said, "Give me the iPhone and wallet." The victim complied, and then the suspect fled westward on Gates Avenue. The investigation is ongoing.

On Thursday, January 12, at approximately 4:45pm, a man was robbed of his iPhone while walking down the street. According the to he police report, a 20-year-old man was walking down Kingston Avenue near Herkimer when a man approached him from behind and put his hand in the victim's pocket motioned. The perpetrator then motioned like he had a gun and said, "You know what time it is, give it up if you don't want any bruises." The victim handed over his iPhone. No victim could provide no further description of the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

On Thursday, January 12, at approximately 7:47pm, a man was robbed of his iPhone at knife-point. According to the police report, the victim, 23, was on Spencer Court near Dekalb Avenue, when an unknown man approached him and said, "Give me your phone" and displayed a knife. The perpetrator then reached into the victim’s pockets and removed his iPhone. The perpetrator fled, but was later apprehended by police on Lexington Avenue, arrested and charged with robbery.

On Thursday, January 12, at 10:35pm, a 24-year-old man was robbed of his iPhone near Marcy Projects. According to police reports, the man was walking on Flushing Avenue near Marcy Avenue, when three unknown perpetrators, described as teenage black males, approached him. One put a gun to the victim's head and demanded his phone and money. The victim then handed over an iTouch and money. The suspects then fled towards the Marcy houses. One perpetrator was caught on Ellery Street and Marcy Avenue, arrested and was charged with robbery. The investigation is ongoing for the other two suspects.