While you may have nothing on your mind but studying for finals and heading home for winter break, don’t forget to keep an eye—and perhaps a good grip—on your cell phone.

Though there has not been a large increase in street robberies in the area, Metropolitan Police Second District Commander Matt Klein is telling residents that victims talking on cell phones—particularly iPhones—are being targeted.

“I believe that folks with these devices are being targeted because a) they’re not paying as much attention to their surroundings and criminals thrive in those conditions, and b) the device is somewhat pricey and therefore quite valuable for someone looking for easy prey,” Klein wrote in an e-mail to residents on a Second District listserv.

The trend in cell phone robberies was visible before Thanksgiving break, as GW experienced two cell phone robberies on campus within 24 hours, though it is not known if the phones taken were iPhones.

A woman’s cell phone was stolen  from her hands the evening of Nov. 23 outside the Foggy Bottom Metro station by two male suspects.

The next morning another woman’s phone was pulled out of her hands in Kogan Plaza behind Gelman Library, according to a University Police Crime Alert e-mailed to the GW community. In that case, the male suspect was stopped by a witness and the cell phone was returned to its owner, though the suspect was not caught by police.

Klein reminded residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings in his e-mail, and said to call 911 if they see anyone acting suspiciously. UPD can be reached in an emergency at 202-994-6111.