Hennepin Co. Attorney: 'Be Smart When Using Smart Phones, Electronics'

Recently there have been a string of robberies of electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets and computers, including some incidents near the U of M and therobbery and assault of former Hennepin County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Mark Andrew (which will be handled by another county "due to our friendship and to avoid even the appearance of a potential conflict of interest"), according to a statement from Freeman.

The attorney said their office and the police take these types of crime very seriously and said some of these are crimes of opportunity. 

"There is no excuse for the criminal behavior, but I want to take a moment to remind everyone to be careful, especially when using electronics in crowded public places like buses or coffee shops," Freeman said in an email. "Take precautions such as keeping valuables out of sight and paying attention to your surroundings. You should also record the serial numbers of your electronics and activate any tracking features, such as Find My iPhone. These steps can help the police locate your phone and allow prosecutors to file charges."

As always, if you see any suspicious activity, call 911.  

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