Transit police made a “significant” bust when they put an end to an alleged cell phone snatching suspect’s series of unarmed robberies on the T.
According to Transit police reports, Angel Carpio, 22, East Boston, was arrested on March 21, and is being held on $2,000 cash bail and on an ICE detainer.
Carpio was wanted in connection with five unarmed robberies that occurred on the MBTA, according to police.
On Sunday, March 18, Carpio was taken into custody after allegedly stealing an iPhone from a victim exiting a train at Haymarket Station.
Carpio was released on bail, but failed to appear in court the next day.
Transit police issued a warrant for Carpio’s arrest and he was subsequently apprehended again on March 21 at Sullivan Station.
During an investigation, T detectives charged Carpio with two additional unarmed robberies which occurred at Wellington Station on March 9 and Sullivan Station on March 19. In both instances, police said Carpio waited for train doors to open before allegedly grabbing phones from riders’ hands.
Detectives are seeking criminal complaints against Carpio for two other unarmed robberies from Dec. 4, 2011, at Airport Station, and March 20, at the Community College stop.
MBTA police rolled out a campaign earlier this year reminding riders to stay alert.
Smartphone theft on the MBTA increased since 2010, according to recent property theft reports from transit officials.
By October 2011, 98 Apple products had been stolen from people while waiting at T stations.
Follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear
