Suspect stealing cell phones from women

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A suspect has been sneaking up on women talking on their cell phones and snatching it right out of their hands.

This has happened to 12 women in downtown Stamford over the past few weeks. Police are very concerned about this growing problem.

"They do strike fast and we've been seeing they almost strike in packs, with 2 to 3 at a time sometimes," Lt. Diedrich Hohn of the Stamford Police Department.

"I'm always on my phone and text especially. I live downtown and walk everywhere and I get out of work late at night so to even think people are out doing that, it's crazy," Talia Babel, a Stamford resident, said.

In some cases, the women targeted have been injured.

"A woman was walking down the street in the area of the mall, a male came up to her, punched her in the face, she dropped the phone, and he grabbed the phone and took off running," Lt. Hohn said.

Police say many of the suspects are targeting women as they're talking on their iPhones as they leave work and walk to the train station. They say the suspects want to get phones already in use, that way they don't have to worry about unlocking any passwords and they can just wipe out the phone and sell it on the black market.

"I'm going to be more aware when on the phone or walking from the train station to work or work to the station," Leticia Rosa, who works in Stamford, said.

Many women say they'd actually pull out their cell phone as a form of protection.

"Usually I thought it was safety. I'd be like oh yeah theres a guy coming up....tempting them to come after me," Theresa Moors, who also works in Stamford, said.

Cops said if you're going to have your phone out, make sure you're with someone else. They said the suspects have yet to go after anyone walking in a group.