Police report iPad snatchings on west side

Teens snatching Apple electronics on west side

MADISON, Wis. — On Tuesday morning, a 66-year-old man had his iPad Mini grabbed from his hands while at the West Towne Food Court, according to a release from Madison police.

The man told police he chased after the thief, falling twice in the process, and suffered minor injuries. The criminal, described as a black, age 15-17, 6 feet tall with short hair, was last seen heading in the direction of Memorial High School.

This is the second incident of snatching electronics on the West side in the past 24-hours.

On Monday night, a 25-year-old Madison woman had her iPhone taken around 9:15 p.m. as she sat at a table inside McDonald’s, 6190 Odana Road, according to the release. The man who took the phone was described as black, late teens and around 5 feet 8 inches tall.

Last summer, the MPD put out a YouTube video with tips on how citizens can best protect themselves from these types of crimes. It was released during the height of a nationwide crime spree that some tabbed “Apple Picking.”

While Madison has not seen the same level of thefts and robberies this summer, they are still occurring.

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