Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Apple iPhone 5 robber Arrested

On January 29th, 2013 at approximately 12:15 p.m. Transit Police officers from Area 1 received a radio call to respond to Boylston MBTA station for a report of a robbery in progress. While en route one of the officers was flagged down by an MBTA employee at the corner of Washington and West Street's who was off with both the victim and the suspected phone thief. According to the victim and a corroborating witness the situation unfolded as follows:

 The victim, while at Boylston MBTA station, was holding his Apple iPhone 5 in his hand when suddenly a male, later identified as Derek Virgilio, 20 of Boston, snatched the phone from his hand and fled out of the station. The victim chased after Virgilio, upon reaching the top of the stairs an upstanding citizen realizing what was happening assisted the victim and prevented Virgilio from escaping. Virgilio at this time removed his own Apple iPhone 4 displayed it and pleaded that he hadn't done anything wrong. The tactic worked as it gave Virgilio enough time to take off running again.

Once again the victim pursued Virgilio along with an MBTA employee and the upstanding citizen. The chase continued down several streets where the trio eventually caught up to Virgilio on the corner of Washington and West Street's. Transit Police officers on scene recovered a black Apple iPhone 5 from the sleeve of Virgilio and it was positively identified as the victim's. Virgilio was placed under arrest for Unarmed Robbery and transported to Transit Police HQ for the booking process. Virgilio is expected to be arraigned sometime today in Boston Municipal Court.

Please see earlier posting for helpful tips to safeguard your electronic devices while on the MBTA ( check here for helpful tips/info)

tpdnews.