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NYPD: Man Arrested After Stealing iPhone From Decoy Officer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police arrested a subway rider after he allegedly lifted an iPhone from a plainclothes decoy police officer's backpack Sunday.

Bronx resident Raymond Rodriguez, 47, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. He was taken into custody at 3:15 p.m. on the No. 4 train at Grand Central.

Police say Rodriguez has 27 unsealed prior arrests, including for assault, robbery, burglary, grand larceny and possession of stolen property, as well as drug-related offenses.

The NYPD recently doubled the number of decoy officers in response to an increase in thefts of iPhones, cell phones and other personal electronic devices from subway riders.

Dozens of officers were trained as decoys, mimicking subway crime victims, and are backed by teams of nearby officers.

Police also handed out tens of thousands of fliers with tips on how to keep your property safe from thieves.

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