Ruby Rubio was walking with her 7-year-old sister in California when a man suddenly snatched her brand-new iPhone, ran off, and jumped into the passenger seat of a car. The 15-year-old girl, who received the expensive phone from her parents as a gift for doing well in school, didn't let the man get away with his crime. She chased the thief and jumped onto the hood of his car -- but her heroic attempt had a tragic ending.
After she jumped onto the car, Ruby reportedly tried to hang on by the antenna. But the vehicle sped away and Ruby fell off and hit her head on the pavement. She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Two days after the incident, her mom says she opened her eyes for just a moment, looked at her, and said "mom" before passing away.
Absolutely heartbreaking. And even more so knowing that her family kept vigil by her bed for two days, hoping and praying that she would recover and join them again. And all this over a phone.
Police recovered Ruby's iPhone close to the scene, but the thief responsible for this senseless crime is still on the loose. Cops describe him as a Hispanic man in his late 20s to early 30s, standing about 5 feet, 10 inches, wearing a black baseball hat, white tank top, and light-colored jeans.
Ruby was going to be a sophomore in high school this fall. She was such a good student that her family gave her this gift and, having already broken two phones, they believe she chased the car because she was afraid of getting in trouble if anything happened to her new iPhone. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and it would be nearly impossible in a case like this one to find peace and closure until the suspect is apprehended.
Do you think it's okay to give young teens iPhones or do you feel criminals target them too easily?
Image via Matthew Pearce/Flickr