Posted on 05/26/2009 6:13:52 AM PDT by raccoonradio
NEW BEDFORD — A 21-year-old man recently walked along Orchard and Hawthorn streets, when a stranger approached and asked for a cigarette. The man felt uneasy and tried to run away.
However, two men appeared and assaulted the victim. They stole the man's Sidekick — a high-tech cell phone with a flashy flip screen and keyboard popular among teens and young adults.
Like Air Jordan sneakers and iPods before it, the Sidekick is also coveted by criminals.
According to police reports, there have been 12 to 16 robberies in New Bedford this year in which someone was accosted for a Sidekick.
The robberies have occurred throughout the city, usually at night. The victims are young men who are almost always alone, normally walking in areas less traveled or poorly lit.
Two or more assailants — always young men — order the victims to hand over the Sidekicks if the phones are in plain view. Other times, the robbers tell the victims to "run their pockets," meaning to empty them, and take the phones.
Sometimes the victims are not hurt if they comply. Other times they are assaulted minutes after someone asks them for a cigarette, according to police reports.
"Among the street-level hooligans, the Sidekick is clearly the hot item right now," said New Bedford police spokesman Lt. Jeffrey P. Silva.
People who steal the phones — which sell for as much as $300 — are known to turn around and sell them on the street or via online auction sites such as eBay for around $100.
"We've caught people within an hour after the robbery where the phone was sold and had already disappeared," said Providence Police Detective Steve Gencerella, who has also investigated several Sidekick robberies.
The phones can be easily transferred between users because they operate on SIM card technology. All someone has to do is switch out the SIM card with their own, and they have a new, expensive phone.
Police in Boston, New York City, Providence and other major cities throughout the country have reported large numbers of Sidekick robberies.
In Boston, police said Sidekick thefts accounted for approximately 14 percent of all of that city's robberies in 2008. The statistics show the majority of those incidents occurred either before or after school.
The robberies led Boston police to target stores suspected of purchasing and reselling stolen phones. The city's School Police Unit also began working with the School Department to raise awareness among students.
The New York City Police Department last year began checking the serial numbers of Sidekicks carried by truant youths, comparing the numbers to phones reported stolen.
Providence police have reported a similar problem. Sidekick thefts now account for nearly 40 percent of that city's robberies, Gencerella said.
"If you pull it out anywhere in public, you're running the risk of being robbed," Gencerella said.
"It's almost like a status symbol, like the way the Air Jordans used to be. Everyone wants them."
With its modern design, keyboard and miniature screen with Internet access and texting capability, the Sidekick, made by T-Mobile, is the phone of choice for today's youth. The phone also has a hipness cachet, thanks to its endorsement by actors, basketball players and hip-hop stars.
"There seems to be a very hot market for them," Silva said.
Police said youths are often robbed because they are considered easy targets less likely to call police. Some robbers snatch the phones from the victim's hands. Other times, people are robbed by knife- or gun-wielding assailants.
"We've also had vicious beatings where the people were attacked and beaten just because they wouldn't give up their cell phone," Gencerella said.
Sometimes, the thieves are caught. One teen who was robbed at knifepoint in New Bedford last month later identified the suspect through MySpace, helping police to issue an arrest warrant.
In another case, a man said he was assaulted and robbed for his phone outside a Durfee Street convenience store. Two of the suspects were arrested the following day when they returned to the store and a witness recognized them.
To avoid being robbed, police urge young people to be aware of their surroundings and to walk with friends in well-lit and populated areas.
If someone is following them, people are advised to switch directions or cross the street and walk toward a store, restaurant or a lighted house.
"In many cases, people were close to 24/7 convenience stores when these robberies occurred," Silva said. "Go to one of those if you see people who make you feel uncomfortable and call police."
Gencerella said people should trust their instincts.
"If somebody approaches you and gives you a bad feeling, rest assured that something bad is going to happen," he said.
>>The phones can be easily transferred between users because they operate on SIM card technology. All someone has to do is switch out the SIM card with their own, and they have a new, expensive phone.
>>"We've also had vicious beatings where the people were attacked and beaten just because they wouldn't give up their cell phone," Gencerella said.
Jack Benny, circa 2009: "Your Sidekick or your life!" (pause) "WELL?" "I'm thinking it over!!"
Especially if the person mumbles something like "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you."
Doesn’t the Sidekick phone have a manufacturer SN and a SIM so the phone knows.
I just went through this and the old Motorola RAZOR knows who it is. The SIM and the phone SN both can be blocked, at least that is what the carrier said. I bought the phone outright and had to take the proof of ownership(receipt) down before they would turn it on.
I am not so sure it’s as easy as the article says it is ...
Most phones are “locked”, meaning you can’t switch out SIM cards w/out the carrier authorizing it. However, those phones can also be “unlocked” which does allow for easy swapping of SIMs. This is useful when you go overseas. If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a local SIM card and get cheap rates while there. Once you’re back home, swap out the foreign SIM for your regular carrier again.
Let me guess. Black males?
Yeah; meanwhile I have your basic $15 Virgin Mobile model
and pay as you go :)
DieHard’s personal opinions:
> To avoid being robbed, police urge young people to be aware of their surroundings and to walk with friends in well-lit and populated areas.
Take the dam’n earphones out of your ears, too. In the dark you will often hear something long before you see it. Walking with your iPod blocking off your hearing at night is just plain stupid. It also advertises that you are robbable.
Never be seen outside — particularly after dark — with earphones in your ears. Definitely never turn your music up so loud others can hear it: you are advertising to everyone around you that you are unable to hear them. Bad Guys love that!
> If someone is following them, people are advised to switch directions or cross the street and walk toward a store, restaurant or a lighted house.
Change direction 90 degrees sharply so that you can get peripheral vision happening. Or if you are big and ugly, change direction 180 degrees and go straight at whoever is following you. If a fight is going to happen it is best it happens at a time and place of your choosing. Don’t get taken from behind!
> “In many cases, people were close to 24/7 convenience stores when these robberies occurred,” Silva said. “Go to one of those if you see people who make you feel uncomfortable and call police.”
Once you get there close and lock the door if you can, and immediately explain to the store owner so that he doesn’t draw down on you, thinking you’re a robber.
Be aware that the Bad Guys may still be around when you exit the store. If possible, wait until the cops show up, if they show up.
> Gencerella said people should trust their instincts.
DieHard the Hunter says people should trust their instincts. That is why God gave them to you.
> “If somebody approaches you and gives you a bad feeling, rest assured that something bad is going to happen,” he said.
Your instincts are often your one and only warning. Listen to them and act upon them immediately.
That’s a Sidekick?
That may be the gayest thing I have ever seen.
Most phones are locked to only allow use on a specific carrier. Unlocking will let you use any carrier you wish.
However, the switching of sims is unaffected by this. In my long and expensive quest for the perfect smartphone, I’ve bought many a carrier locked phone on eBay and just popped my sim in.
And maybe the Bad Guys hang around 7-11s like bass waiting for minnows near a drop-off. If possible, go the extra mile and get your goodies at a regular grocery store. Then again, if the guy changes course and follows you, use the damn thing and be on line with 911 as you high-tail it.
I truly love this phone.
I guess the only thing I can add to your list is: Go ahead and switch the safety off, and prepare to aim at the center of mass...
> I guess the only thing I can add to your list is: Go ahead and switch the safety off, and prepare to aim at the center of mass...
An excellent addition. I forgot for the moment you Americans have the excellent Second Amendment and Concealed Carry provisions.
So aren’t sidekicks ‘locked’ by design? Wouldn’t that reneder the phone useless to the crook?
I guess this is what was the case with mine.
I just can't think of anyone I want to talk to that much!
Set ‘em up. Create a duplicate Sidekick with a nasty little surprise; a small explosive charge which can be set off remotely. BANG!
End of problem.
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