Pastor’s iPhone 16 Pro Max stolen during Facebook Live prayer in London as theft surge draws scrutiny

A Ghanaian pastor was live-streaming a prayer when two balaclava-clad cyclists snatched his iPhone 16 Pro Max on Hoe Street in London’s Walthamstow district, about 6:30 a.m. yesterday, police and witnesses said. The incident occurred as Isaac Anderson, known to followers as Apostle Mr. Anderson, broadcast a Facebook Live sermon to his online audience.

The thieves rode up on high-powered bikes and were seen targeting the pastor from behind as he preached. A passing bus driver reportedly beeped, attempting to warn him, before one of the suspects grabbed the phone. The crook rode away, apparently unaware that the feed remained live, continuing to interact with the camera as he vanished from view. In the footage, the thief can be heard saying, 'Hey JP, he’s on TikTok. He’s on TikTok live bro...' and, later, 'Oh s***,' as his accomplice tries to shield their faces. Anderson said he did not realize he was being targeted until after the incident.

Anderson later spoke about the attack in a video posted online, urging Londoners to stay vigilant. 'All of the sudden, someone from behind on a bike just came and snatched my phone from my hands [an] iPhone 16 pro max. It’s not easy. All my information was on it,' he said. He added that people should be careful with their phones and personal belongings, noting that 'thieves, burglars and robbers are everywhere' in the capital. The pastor said he would continue to preach but cautioned followers about personal security as they move through daily life in the city.

The incident has drawn reaction on social media, with supporters offering messages of solidarity. One commenter wrote: 'Sorry Apostle may God give you more strength and protect you.'

London has been grappling with a surge in mobile-phone thefts, driven in part by gangs that ride e-bikes and scooters to snatch devices from unsuspecting pedestrians. Police data show that more than 70,000 mobile phones were stolen in London in 2024 alone, out of roughly 100,000 across the United Kingdom. The thefts have prompted concerns about the scale of criminal networks and the ease with which devices can be moved abroad for parts or resale. Some phones have appeared in overseas markets, including China and Nigeria, according to police and crime data reviewed by local outlets.

The Metropolitan Police have launched what officials describe as an intensified crackdown on what they call industrial-scale thefts. In hotspot areas such as the West End and Westminster, officers in plain clothes have been deployed to disrupt criminal activity, and high-powered e-bikes have been targeted by patrols. The force has also used aerial support to track suspects before ground units detain them, a tactic cited by investigators as part of a broader, multi-agency effort to curb the surge.

The Daily Mail said it had approached the Metropolitan Police for comment on the attack against Anderson and the broader theft wave. The department has emphasized persistent operations against organized theft rings, while noting that the public should remain vigilant as authorities pursue suspects.

The broader context of the attack underscores the ongoing challenge London faces as it grapples with a wave of mobile-device thefts. While authorities have pressed forward with arrests and targeted operations, community members remain wary of potential follow-up incidents as criminals adapt their tactics to city traffic patterns and commute hours. As London continues to confront this issue, residents and religious leaders alike are urging the public to safeguard personal devices and report suspicious activity when encountered on the streets.