Thieves target wireless Cafes in SF
This is bad news for San Francisco just when they approved the Google/Earthlink deal to deliver free wireless access to the entire city. It looks like thieves are after citizens at internet cafes busy with the laptops and they snatch them right there in front of other patrons. Electronics sell well in some dark streets. When the thieves get resistance, it looks like they don’t mind assault:
“I looked up, and I saw this guy leaning into me as if he was asking a question,'’ he said. “I leaned forward, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone fiddling with the computer cord. I tried to stand up, and as I stepped back, he stabbed me in the chest.'’
The scary stat is from San Francisco Police: in 2004 there were 18 laptop computer robberies and the figure jumped to 48 in 2005. As of end of March there are 18 already.
Think about this next time you decide to take your laptop to an internet cafe.
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April 11th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Man, when I read wireless and thieves, I thought they were stealing the signal or something. Turns out they are stealing the hardware…hehehe…
April 12th, 2006 at 11:03 am
I read about this, too, and it’s terrible! I guess I’m not going to buy a new shiny Mac. I’ll stick to my Dell laptop that’s so old, it still has a floppy disk drive! A thief would be embarrassed to be seen running off with it.
April 12th, 2006 at 11:16 am
Isn’t that sad? even thieves have standards in SF
I agree Wella, an old cluncky laptop would probably not attract the attention, they will move on to someone with a shiny piece. Kind of like the visual deterrent on cars hah!
April 17th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
I can see it now, special shops that put PowerBook innards in old, ugly IBM thinkpad cases from the 90’s.
April 17th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Jay,
This could be a good startup business. Then add a marketing spin to target those recently converted PC guys too shy (or ashamed) to admit it. A double wammy: be secure at cafes and make it look like you’re still a PC guru