Quick-thinking, coupled with a loud voice, saved a Scarborough teenager from having her iPod stolen on Friday.
At about 2:15 p.m. the 14-year-old girl and her 12-year-old brother were walking through a park in the area of The Collegeway and Glen Erin Dr. when they were approached by a man on a bike. The man attempted to snatch the iPod away from the girl, who refused to let go of the popular digital music player, but he was ultimately unsuccessful.

Police say the man then pulled out a switchblade and demanded the iPod. The girl screamed, which caught the attention of a passer-by, and the suspect fled without the iPod.

The girl wasn’t injured.

Earlier this year, The Toronto Star reported that four iPods are stolen from public transit riders each month.

“iPods are being stolen because they’re one of the `in’ things. They’re easily concealed and easy to steal,” Toronto police Const. Phil Harris told The Star. “You read about them more now because there are more out there. They’re a hot item.”

In New York City, 15-year-old Christopher Rose was stabbed to death last summer because he wouldn’t give up his iPod to robbers. There’s also an advertising campaign on the transit system in London, England, warning users to be careful of thieves targeting their iPods.

iPods users can be easy to spot because of the distinctive white earphones that come with the music player.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 11 Division CIB at 905-453-2121 ext. 1133 or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

~with files from Torstar Network

http://www.mississauga.com/mi/peelpolice/story/3576507p-4132856c.html