Following exhortations from the NYPD for new iPhone 5 owners to register their serial numbers, the department is now reporting Apple thefts have skyrocketed 40 percent from last year.
The New York Post originally estimated Apple crime had jumped 55 percent, but the statistics are still alarming as one in seven crimes in New York City now involve Apple products.
The statistic greatly outpaces overall New York City crime, which only rose four percent.
The NYPD says more than 11,400 Apple gadgets have been stolen this year.
On Monday, the Cupertino-based company announced over 5 million iPhone 5's were purchased in the three days since its much-anticipated launch.
NYPD officials portray the thefts as an aberration in an otherwise low-crime year: Murders are on track to reach record lows.
The NYPD set up booths outside Apple stores last weekend to help iPhone buyers activate tracking technology to recover lost or stolen phones. Subway warnings tell passengers to remain alert and keep devices out of sight.
Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Inc. says the recently released iPhone 5 topped 2 million sales the first day.
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Associated Press writers Tom Hays and Verena Dobnik contributed to this report.
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