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Warning: Apple's new iPhones are a bigger target for thieves

A San Diego man was attacked while trying to sell his brand new iPhone to someone using Craigslist and part of the attack was captured on the victim’s dashboard camera.

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) – A San Diego man was attacked while trying to sell his brand new iPhone to someone using Craigslist and part of the attack was captured on the victim’s dashboard camera.

Apple’s latest iPhones are worth more than $1,000, and there are plenty of people selling them online.

The victim told News 8 he listed the high dollar iPhone for sale on Craigslist. The incident happened Saturday night after the suspect agreed to meet the victim at a Ralph’s parking lot on Montezuma Road.

The victim said the suspect asked to see the phone and then assaulted him before running off with it. The victim said he yelled for help. He suffered a broken finger and broken toe – he was not able to chase after the thief.

The 31-year-old’s dashboard camera captured a glimpse of the man he said attacked him.

San Diego Police Lt. Stephen Shebloski said that even though the victim did the right thing by agreeing to meet in a public place, he recommends to meet in a well-lit area – like inside the store or during the day when there are plenty of people.

Lt. Shebloski also recommended using one of the nine police stations across the city to conduct these types of sales. He even recommended bringing a friend.

“Ultimately, when people are selling or buying or selling high value high transferable items like iPhones or laptops or things of that nature they are at risk for being victims of crime. We have had people across the nation get shot killed during these types of events. We don’t want that to happen to someone. This individual was injured. Luckily, it was not more serious,” he said.

Lt. Shebloski said the bottom line is, “If someone is unwilling to meet at a public place, or meet you in your own home, or is not willing to provide basic information to you of who they are and where you’re going to meet, ultimately we want people to trust their instincts. That probably is the best thing they can do. If it seems suspicious then it probably is.”

The victim filed a police report and police are investigating the case. Police are also using the dashcam video as evidence.

If anyone has any information about this case or recognize the man in the video, they are asked to call the San Diego Police Department.

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