A band of moped-riding thieves in New York City is stealing Apple AirPods Max headphones right off of victims’ heads, the NYPD warns.
According to authorities, 21 people have had their Apple headphones brazenly snatched from them in broad daylight between January 28 and February 18
On January 28, four incidents occurred that involved thieves on mopeds riding up behind a victim, stealing their noise-canceling AirPods and speeding away.
The suspects reportedly operate in two pairs, with one pair on a red moped and the other on a black moped. In each theft, one pair rides up to the victim and the passenger hops off and takes the headphones from the victim’s head before making a quick getaway.
According to police, the thieves have committed thefts all around Manhattan, with one incident even taking place in Central Park. Other areas with incidents include Tribeca, Chelsea, the West and East Villages, Gramercy, Kips Bay, Midtown, the Upper East Side and Morningside Heights.
The victims have been aged between 18 and 41, and no injuries have been reported.
So far, no arrests have been made, but police were able to capture photos of the suspects riding the mopeds, as well as a video of one getting off a moped and walking into Washington Square Park with two AirPods Max devices.
“We’ve got to catch these guys,” NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.
AirPods Max headphones, which retail for $549, differ from AirPods or AirPods Pro models in that they rest over the ears and fit over the head with an adjustable headband. The prior models are small and fit inside the ear.
