Pleasant Hill police are warning residents about a rash of iPhone thefts that have occurred the past few months in town.
Authorities say in some cases the suspect approaches the victims from behind and snatches their phone while they are distracted. In other cases, the suspect will ask the victim to use their phone and then run off with it.
The thefts are happening primarily in the northern part of the city near Contra Costa Boulevard from Taylor Boulevard to Second Avenue South.
In two recent thefts, the suspect was described as an African-American man, 25 to 30 years old, with closely shaven hair and a muscular build. He's described as wearing a heavy jacket, scarf and beanie cap. He also was riding a mountain bike with no kickstand.
Pleasant Hill police are urging residents to be cautious with their cell phones. They say if someone requests to use your phone, ask if it's an emergency and then make the call yourself on their behalf.
The phones are a popular item for thieves because they can be easily reformatted and sold quickly.
Anyone with information on these thefts is urged to call Pleasant Hill police at 925-288-4630 or 925-288-4600.
