Thieves make merry as iPod plays

SAN FRANCISCO: White headphones linked to an iPod are key to Apple Inc.'s wildly successful advertising campaign for the digital music players, but San Francisco's rail system is warning commuters in Apple's own backyard they may also serve as a magnet for thieves.

"Don't be a target: Use ear buds other than the standard iPod white, or other aftermarket headphones," the Bay Area Rapid Transit District or BART is warning in fliers distributed at the entrances to stations.

The flier said that 11 per cent of robberies on the BART system connecting San Francisco to the East Bay and region south of the city were iPod thefts.

"iPod theft is not unique to BART; it is a crime of opportunity occurring when an individual is seen wearing the familiar white iPod ear buds," it said.

A spokesman for Apple, which is based in Cupertino, California, beyond the reach of BART trains, could not immediately be reached to comment.

© Reuters