Thieves Target Cell Phones On City Buses

Investigators are looking for two suspects who stole a phone right from the hands of someone on one of Fresno’s city buses. This crime is a felony.

At city bus stops people aren’t shy about using their cell phones. People waiting for the bus say it’s no secret thieves are targeting this pricey item. 

"It irritates me. It’s happened to me before because I was not paying attention. I guess it must have fallen our of my pocket and right when I saw it I saw someone grab it and ran," said Kirsten Anderson said at a Fresno bus stop.

"These phones, these smart phones nowadays are not cheap you know? I watch them because i’m sorry, but you can’t trust a lot of these people out here," said Brandon Oliveri, who says people ask to use his phone all the time.

Investigators say there is a lesson to be learned both on and off the bus.

"Be aware of your surroundings, don’t be so drawn into your cell phone, or into something that you are holding on to where you’re not looking around you and you’re not prepared," said Mark Hudson of the Fresno Police Department.

It’s a simple message from law enforcement, but it’s something bus passengers in Fresno believe people need to hear.

"Maybe after this, maybe after seeing this people will start being a lot more careful," said Oliveri.