So, I got mugged yesterday for my iPhone 4. Woo, my hazing is complete and I can now officially say that I am a true New Yorker!
Actually, the story has a happy ending. I had just finished a chess tournament at the Marshall Chess Club and was turning the corner of 10th Street onto Fifth Avenue when a guy approached me. It was 7 PM so it was still broad daylight (sunset is at 8 PM) and there were plenty of people milling about. He looked like one of those guys asking for spare change for the subway, so I got ready to ignore him: I had my headphones on and was fiddling with my iPhone so I figured I could walk right past shrugging my shoulders.
He straight up punches me instead! Talk about the element of surprise. It was very sudden, but I basically knew what was happening at that point. Still, I was thinking, “I’m in a nice part of Manhattan, there are people everywhere, it’s not even dusk, surely I’m not getting mugged.” As I was kind of staggering trying to deflect the punches he grabbed my iPhone and took off running. So, I took off after him!
I was screaming things like, “Somebody call the cops!” and, “Give me back my phone!” and, “Help!” Still, seeing as it’s New York City, I wasn’t really expecting anybody to help. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when a young woman with red hair joined the chase with me (I learned later that her name is Cristina).
I don’t think the mugger expected to rob a cross-country runner and I managed to run him down pretty easily within about a block. Cristina yelled, “Get him!” which was encouraging, and, let’s face it, pretty darn cool. How often do you get to yell, “Get him!” outside of the movies?
The mugger looked over his shoulder and saw that I was right at his heels and I guess he began to worry because he started saying, “Stay back, I’ve got a knife,” over and over again. But his hands were empty and it seemed pretty obvious that he was bluffing so I just grabbed him and pulled him to a halt. Cristina caught up and now it was two against one.
He tried to play dumb for a few seconds (“I don’t have your phone!”) but he acquiesced and gave the phone back and then took off. I didn’t go after him because I had my phone back and I really wasn’t looking for a fight. So, it’s a happy ending, and it turns out there really are some heroic pedestrians out there! Plus, I’ve discovered a new and unconventional method for making new friends in the City.
Well, that’s the end of the story, but it’s led me to think about a few things. First, Apple actually has a Find My iPhone feature which can locate a lost iPhone to within a few yards, as well as remotely lock it and delete all the data on it for protection. If the thief had gotten away and didn’t think to turn the phone off, perhaps the GPS could have been used to lead the police right to him? Second, owning the newest Apple gadget is apparently very dangerous, ha ha. He didn’t go for my wallet or anything, he went for my iPhone. I might have to be more careful from now on and consider not wearing Apple’s signature “please mug me” white earbuds. Oh well, live and learn, that’s New York City for ya.
ahahhaha your such a fucking retard.
You invited Cristina for a coup of coffee, didn’t you?
Pablo,
Maybe he invited her for a revolution of coffee, instead?
@hdfh
ahahhaha
yourYou’re such a fucking retard.Who was a retard?
@Jasper
In all fairness, I’m going to have to say it’s still the guy wearing white earbuds on the street in New York. I think it was pretty well known as far back as 2002-2003 that wearing white earbuds makes you a target for street and subway crime. So retard? That’s probably a little harsh. Arrogant and ignorant about the situation? Absolutely.
Sorry Phil.
10th Street onto Fifth Avenue? Geez…
I would have drop kicked him square on his jaw and then say, “The Price is Wrong, BITCH”…
Good job running the guy down!
Sounds like it’s time to get your concealed handgun license. Oh wait, they pretty much outlawed self-defense in NYC, didn’t they? Guess you’ll just have to put up with the muggings! Glad I live in Oregon, where even though I rarely need the protection, I still have the right.
I’m on the fence about guns, but I agree about self-defense. If a criminal breaks the law in order to harm someone, they shouldn’t be surprised when that someone harms them back.
lol pretty good
True that, thanks God all is good in the end!
Glad to hear you got your phone back. That was some quick thinking for you! I was mugged yesterday at Riverside Park at 116th Street, just 2 streets away from Columbia University. It was 6pm, bright out and lots of people around. I only wish I had thought to shout out and chase after the guy. I was too stunned to react in time as this guy came down a slope on his bike, rammed into me and took my iphone out of my hands. He threatened me and ordered me to walk away, and being new to NY and being a petite asian girl, I really didn’t know how to react. I didn’t have the mobileme app installed in my iphone either, so although I made a police report, it’s prob not much use. I guess i’m more upset at how vulnerable and helpless I was. I’m looking into taking self defense classes and just learning how to be more proactive. I’m not the kind to shout or draw attention to myself so I didn’t think of shouting out, but going forward, it’s a good thing to do if needed.
Wow, what a coincidence. I play at the Marshall too, and just a few weeks ago as I was headed to Washington Sq. at around 9PM, I almost got mugged by a group of five people. By almost, I mean that one of them smacked my right hand that was holding my phone. Fortunately, I held it tightly and managed to run. Be careful around Washington Sq. at night, lots of dangerous thugs there. Not to mention the park junkies suck at chess anyways =)