NBC New York reporter Charles Watson went live in Fort Greene with a warning that will make a lot of city shoppers rethink how they leave an Apple Store.
Watson said the NYPD is looking for a group of robbery suspects accused of targeting people simply because they’re carrying Apple products.
The pattern, as Watson described it, is what makes this story feel extra unsettling. Police believe some victims were watched as they walked out of the store, then followed for minutes – sometimes onto public transit – before being hit.
Watson urged viewers to take a close look at the suspects shown in the report, because NYPD investigators want the public’s help identifying them.
A Simple Shopping Trip Turns Into A Setup
Watson said the robberies happened in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and at least three victims have been targeted so far in this string of incidents.
He explained that multiple victims had “just come out of an Apple Store moments before they’re stalked and robbed,” which is the kind of detail that changes this from random street crime into something more calculated.
It’s not just “someone got robbed.” It’s “someone got picked.”
And that matters, because when crime is targeted like this, it feeds on routine. People do the same thing every time – same door, same subway entrance, same distracted walk while they check a receipt or text a friend – and criminals love routines.
Watson said police believe the suspects are approaching people carrying Apple bags or boxes, then making their move when they think the victim is isolated or off guard.
The Brooklyn Apple Store Incidents On Flatbush Avenue
Watson pointed to a specific location: the Apple Store on Flatbush Avenue in downtown Brooklyn.
According to Watson’s reporting, two of the victims had just come from that store when they were approached by individuals.
In one incident, Watson said, an iPad was snatched right out of a victim’s hand. That’s bold, fast, and low effort for the thief – exactly the kind of crime that depends on surprise and momentum.
In another case, Watson said someone allegedly followed a 17-year-old from the store onto the R train, then approached and snatched a bag.
That bag, Watson noted, “fortunately contained only empty boxes.” For the victim, that’s still frightening and violating, but it also shows how little the suspects may care about what’s actually inside.
If you’re a shopper, it’s a reminder that the packaging alone can make you a target. To a suspect sizing you up, a sleek bag is basically a billboard.
Watson’s description also hints at something else: following someone onto the subway suggests the suspects are comfortable operating in crowded spaces, counting on confusion and quick exits.
Manhattan Robbery Ends With A Victim Shoved To The Ground
Watson said the latest victim was attacked on the Upper East Side, just blocks away from the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue.
This one, he reported, escalated physically. The victim was allegedly shoved to the ground by three individuals.
Watson said the suspects then robbed the victim of a bag containing iPads and iPad cases.
That detail matters because it suggests they were not just grabbing a single phone-sized item. They were going after higher-value purchases, the kind people might buy for work, school, or as gifts.
And when a robbery turns into a shove-to-the-ground attack, it’s not just theft. It’s an injury risk, a head-hit-the-sidewalk risk, the kind of moment that can change someone’s sense of safety for months.
If this crew is willing to get physical in a busy neighborhood, that’s a sign they think they can get away with it.
Shoppers Say The Fear Starts The Second You Step Outside
Watson didn’t just lean on police statements. He talked to everyday customers who explained what it feels like to hear a story like this when you’re the one holding the bag.
Shopper Angela Diaz told Watson it makes her “extremely nervous.”
Watson said Diaz feels incidents like these put her on edge when she steps out of an Apple Store with new merchandise, because the reports suggest people are being targeted specifically for those devices.
Diaz also made a practical point that a lot of shoppers will agree with. She told Watson she thinks more security would help, saying “the one guy standing there isn’t enough,” and that it’s “very nerve wracking.”
Watson also spoke with people who had a different reaction, which helps show how mixed the public mood can be in a big city.
David Funes, who Watson said is from Rego Park, Queens, suggested that when you walk out, you might be focused on being happy about the purchase instead of “dwelling on something expensive.”
That’s honest, and it’s exactly why criminals pick shoppers as they exit. Joy and distraction look the same from the outside.
Don Abraham of Manhattan told Watson you always have to be aware in a big city, but he didn’t feel “any extra nervous” for the most part.
That kind of calm is understandable too. People can’t live in constant panic. But criminals don’t need everyone to be nervous – just enough people to be predictable.
And the tough truth is this: you can be confident and still be careful. Those two things aren’t enemies.
The Hidden Risk Isn’t Just The Device – It’s Your Data
Watson added an angle that doesn’t always get talked about in street-robbery stories: the risk doesn’t stop with the stolen item.
He brought in Daniel Kivatinos, a co-owner of the AI-powered financial management company JustPaid, who warned that people should be ready to protect their personal information, including their finances, if they’re targeted.
Kivatinos told Watson that if someone gets access to your device and the information inside it, the damage can snowball. He raised the fear that criminals could try opening credit cards or bank accounts, or moving money out of existing accounts, calling it “very disastrous.”
Watson said Kivatinos recommends turning on security features like stolen device protection, using biometrics to prevent crooks from quickly accessing sensitive settings and information.
This is the part that hits hardest, because a stolen iPad is expensive, sure. But the idea of someone getting into your digital life is the kind of violation that feels personal and endless.
Even if the suspects in these robberies are mostly chasing quick resale money, victims shouldn’t assume that’s the only threat.
What Watson’s Report Suggests Shoppers Should Do Next
Watson didn’t preach. He kept it practical, and his closing message was clear: take steps now to protect your products and personal information.
If you’re walking out of any high-end store – especially one with recognizable bags – this is the moment to tighten up your habits.
Keep your head up when you exit, not buried in your phone. If someone is trailing you closely for more than a few seconds, that’s not “paranoia”—that’s your brain doing its job.
If you’re headed to the subway, don’t make yourself an easy read. Slow down, change pace, step to the side near other people, or go back into the store if something feels off.
A small, simple move like transferring the product bag into a plain tote, or ditching the flashy box in a safe way, can reduce the “I just bought something expensive” signal.
And on the digital side, Watson’s point about device security is the kind of advice people usually ignore – until they wish they hadn’t. Turn on the protections while you’re calm, not after you’re panicking.
Watson ended with the reason these reports exist in the first place: if you recognize the suspects shown, the NYPD wants to hear from you.
Because if this crew is truly stalking shoppers right after purchases, the fastest way to stop it is to identify them, arrest them, and break the pattern before another “quick errand” turns into someone’s worst night.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.
