Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 21, 2005

Police arrest teenager in iPod robbery

Metro Transit Police arrested a D.C. high school student today for allegedly stealing a woman’s iPod on a Metro train earlier this month.

Police arrested Beyanka Clark, 18, at Wilson High School this morning for robbery.

According to Metro Transit Police, a group of teenage girls approached a 27-year-old Northwest D.C. woman on a Red Line train near the Van Ness-UDC station on November 10 around 4:30 p.m. One of the teenagers snatched the iPod and another prevented the woman from following the others. The group left the train and took the woman’s SmarTrip card.

During its investigation, Metro Transit Police discovered Clark had been arrested by D.C. police on an unrelated charge on November 14. She had an iPod in her possession. Further investigation revealed it was the victim’s iPod, which had an inscription on the back of the digital music player. The investigation is continuing, police said.

iPod thefts have been a problem in other city subway systems, but have been a rare occurrence in the Metro system. Metro Transit Police advise riders to mark and keep their valuables, such as cell phones and iPods out of plain view. Police also advise riders to be aware of their surroundings.

"iPods, cell phones, they’re a distraction, and if you’re using one you’re an easier target," said Metro Transit Police Capt. Mike Daly.

News release issued on November 21, 2005.