NYC iPhone owner tricks thief using dating app

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City musician used a combination of technology, seduction, brute force and a bribe to reclaim his missing iPhone from a confused crook.
Jazz trombonist Nadav Nirenberg tells the New York Post that he left his iPhone in a livery cab on New Year's Eve.
The next morning, the 27-year-old learned via email that someone was sending creepy messages to women using a dating app on the phone.
So he logged on to the service and offered the man a date - posing as a woman. He even sent a picture of a pretty girl.
When the culprit arrived at Nirenberg's Brooklyn apartment with wine, the musician jumped out brandishing a hammer.
But he also offered $20.
The thief handed him the iPhone and bolted.
Jazz trombonist Nadav Nirenberg tells the New York Post that he left his iPhone in a livery cab on New Year's Eve.
The next morning, the 27-year-old learned via email that someone was sending creepy messages to women using a dating app on the phone.
So he logged on to the service and offered the man a date - posing as a woman. He even sent a picture of a pretty girl.
When the culprit arrived at Nirenberg's Brooklyn apartment with wine, the musician jumped out brandishing a hammer.
But he also offered $20.
The thief handed him the iPhone and bolted.
I would have asked for the wine too. Win twice.
That's good, the thief is a dumb arse.
That thief thought he nailed it when he scored the phone...But the owner Was about to hammer out the differences in with the thief..
with the high cost of these phones not including the contract, you would think that people would take better control (hold on to them better).
I guess now they're going to ban hammers or at least register them
Why do folks leave their phones unlocked? All the iPhones on my plan lock after a few minutes.
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Plus I can track all of them.
 @RalphCramden well all you have to do is "unlock" the phone and replace the SIM and you are SOL regardless of whether you can track it or not. You can also reset the entire phone whether it is locked or not, so that won't really do much good. Best thing to do is not lose your phone. Fortunately all the crooks seem to be pretty dumb and not realize that people can find them if they just use the phone as if it were their own.
 @SRÂ
They can also be parted out which makes them untraceable.
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As you state most crooks will not do any of that stuff as those with skill sets like that usually have a job and don't need to steal for a living.
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Locking it will prevent thieves from using it and it will still be trackable at least for a while.
 @RalphCramden  @SR http://www.katu.com/news/va?vaid=2339710c52a21f4e4f101e94c1b46d36
How fitting.
 @RalphCramden  @SR or they can be hacked thus making them untraceable as well.
"When the culprit arrived at Nirenberg's Brooklyn apartment with wine, the musician jumped out brandishing a hammer."
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What a perfectly good waste of a bottle of Boone's Farm.
 @Kushfan ... MD 20/20 or Annie GreenSprings.
@Kushfan On New Years Eve five drunks came into my restaurant. They were a real pain and thought they would be loud and abusive. They also stated that EVERYTHING was wrong with their order and were not going to pay for anything. Long story short, someone left their cell phone at the table. The next day, when they came back to claim it, I informed them that it would cost them $66.00 for their cell phone.
 @WendyTeagarden  @Kushfan Actaully you could be held liable and could b e committing a crime in its self, a phone is licensed as a telecommunications device and there are hefty laws with regards to "Denying a person there phone" even if they owe you a bill, you could receive a summons in court. it might take a while I am just saying don't be surprised when you are summoned . Also if one of those people need there ell phone for medical reason you can be held liable as well if there is a medical emergency that arises. You may think You have the upper hand, but you don't. One broken Law doesn't give reason to break another. You are also in possession of Private Property.
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The best thing for you to do is call the person to have them get there phone. and then File a police report. Your restaurant has cameras and Security footage unless it is on a 24 hour loop if that is the case then you your self could be charged with stolen property If I were You , I would do that right thing and turn in the phone. It also could be stating if you have a phone they won't pay because you have it..that is called a stand off. Both parties are in the wrong. which ever party goes to court first will have the upper hand. But you having stolen property, you could very well be committing a felony.
If it is the case that you have "Stolen Property" and have not given it to management, you could find yourself with out a job.
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You also just admitted it online that you have the phone and are using it as a hostage.
That is not good ..all Some one has to do is a screen shot , and it is turned in to KATU and summons of this log is requested by law enforcement..I am not sure if that can be done or not. But I sure in Hell don't want to find out the hard way.
 @WendyTeagarden  @swimbad ...back atcha!
 @WendyTeagarden  @swimbad I'm afraid to tell him anything, he's extremely dangerous.
@swimbad SHHHHH Don't tell him about the blue gummy bears. He might believe it.
@swimbad I have always enjoyed your posts.
 @WendyTeagarden  @lee986321 Now do you understand what that long drippy post I made was about?Â
 @WendyTeagarden  @lee986321 lol !!
@lee986321 p.s. This is the OFFBEAT section. Many of us, and you can check our posting history, come here for amusement purposes only. Seldom are we to be taken seiously. Lighten up and go polish your gun.
@lee986321 Yeah, I know all of that. But they also knew that I got their licence plate number the night before and decided to stop playing games with me.
And I'm still trying to get the money.
Nadav Nirenberg trombone solo
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gzHNPEp7f8
 @Kushfan Glad you posted that, I didn't have time earlier and never would have remembered when I came back! Kushfan, do you like that kind of stuff? Myself, I love musicians who push it hard.
 @Kushfan very cool!
 I love the brass.