Metro warning riders of increase in iPhone 6 robberies on board trains, on platforms

Metro Transit Police are warning riders of a spike of iPhone 6 robberies on board trains and inside stations of the transit system.

The robbery snatching incidents have been occurring on the Orange, Silver and Blue lines between the Eastern Market station and the endpoint stations of New Carollton on the Orange line and Largo Town Center on the Blue line.

Police say these phones are often being snatched out of victims' hands in these robberies as trains are making their stops at stations. The suspects in some of these incidents are grabbing the device out of the victims' hands as the train doors open while making a stop. The suspects will then run off the train and leave the station.

These six cases are believed to be linked:

- June 1 - 10:37 p.m. - Aboard Orange Line train at Deanwood
- June 3 - 7:25 p.m. - Aboard Orange Line train at Deanwood
- June 6 - 8 p.m. - On escalator at Benning Road
- June 9 - 1:30 p.m. - On platform at Eastern Market
- June 10 - 3:30 p.m. - On platform at Capitol Heights
- June 16 - 3:10 p.m. - Aboard Orange Line train at Deanwood

Metro Transit Police believe these cases involve the same suspect or group of suspects.

These robberies have been occurring at times in afternoon or evening. None have happened in the morning.

Here are some recommendations by Metro Transit Police to protect yourself from these snatch robberies:

- Riders who travel on the Orange, Silver and Blue lines in this area are asked to exercise caution and always maintain awareness of what is happening around them, especially when using high-value electronic devices.

- Don't use your phone near train doors, even when seated.

- Look around frequently if you choose to use your phone on a station platform.

- Don't use your phone on escalators.

- Make sure you have tracking, such as "Find My iPhone," activated. Metro Transit Police will attempt to track your phone if it is stolen, but this can only happen if you have a tracking app active.

- We encourage you to report any suspicious activity, including individuals who are observed loitering on station platforms even after a train services the station. You can notify Metro Transit Police by calling (202) 962-2121 or sending a text message to "MyMTPD" (696873).