Richmond RCMP is warning people with cellphones - especially new generation smartphones - to be extra careful after a rash of thefts in the municipality.
Thefts of phones are on the rise in the city, with 35 such robberies reported since January. Sometimes the phones are brazenly snatched from the hands of the owners.
"In some instances, suspects have simply grabbed the phone from the hands of the victim as they walk by, while in other cases, suspects have distracted the victims, at which point the phone is stolen," said Richmond RCMP's Cpl. Sherrdean Turley.
Police say a distraction technique has been used in the form of a suspect asking the victim for the time.
When the victim pulls out their cellphone to check, the suspect grabs the phone and runs off.
Luckily, said Turley, the majority of the offences have not included physical violence; however, there have been instances where physical violence has been used.
Police suggest precautions to pre vent thefts include
- Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to where you are and who is around you. Walk with confidence with your head up, not staring down at the ground. Don't let yourself become so consumed by your cellphone or personal electronic device that you lose touch of what is going on around you.
- If you feel like you are being followed and feel threatened, make eye contact to show you're suspicious and cross the street or enter a business that is close by.
- Don't advertise the fact that you're carrying a cellphone, Carry them discretely and replace them in your hiding spot immediately after use.
- If confronted, don't resist. Try to disengage from the confrontation as soon as possible.
- Use a pass code to protect information stored on your smart phone.
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Police issue warning as cellphone theft increases 
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