New York City thieves are now targeting AirPods Max owners, in some cases ripping the premium headphones right off victims’ heads while they’re using them. Since January 28, theft of $549 MSRP AirPods Max is on the rise. Thieves have struck at least 21 times.
A team of four people riding on mopeds is pulling the heists. They ride up behind the victims, grab the headphones and pull them off the victims’ heads before speeding away, says an NY1 report.
The thefts have occurred across Manhattan, including at least one incident inside of Central Park. Most of the thefts have taken place in the mid-to-late afternoon. Victims range in age from 18 to 41. Five headphones were stolen on Feb. 8 and eight were grabbed on Feb. 18.
No arrests have yet been made in connection to the crime spree, although police have released photographs of the suspects on the mopeds, as well as a video, to try and obtain more information. The video shows one of the thieves getting off a moped while holding onto two pairs of AirPods Max, and walking into Washington Square Park.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Owners are advised to stay alert of their surroundings when using their AirPods Max in public, and to stow the expensive headphones away not using them or when in questionable areas of the city.
