A vehicle owner is warning the public after an iPhone was snatched from inside a parked car, even though the owner was only a short distance away.

The victim said the phone was taken from the vehicle and later tracked using location services. The device was traced to the Diamond Ice Supermarket area on All Saints Road, where attempts were made to unlock it. The owner said someone also used the phone to call his girlfriend.

The phone was eventually recovered near the Public Market.

The victim said the man believed to be responsible is often seen in the ZDK area and shared the experience as a caution to others, noting that personal belongings are vulnerable even during brief moments away from a vehicle.