Attack of The iPhone Bike Thieves?

Apparently it's no longer safe to talk on your own motherfucking iPhone, on your own motherfucking street.

That's right folks: welcome to the world of Bike riding iPhone bandits! Apparently, these pedal to the metal thieves will snatch your iPhone right out of your hand, and then ride off into the sunset like E.T. or some shit.

"At least three women and a man were targeted by a two-wheeling terror in Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Boerum Hill last month; three other women were robbed of their tricked-out smart phones in Park Slope in October, a police source said."

Jesus fucking christ. Where the hell does a bitch gotta go now to be left alone in peace with her Apple products?! Cleveland!?

 (via The NY Post)

Rogue Midnight Arsonists Taking Over Park Slope?

This just in at FIPS HQ from reader Kristin:

So this was posted on Brooklynian an few hours ago:"Last night, around 4am, I heard two car alarms go off and then felt heat on my back. A car was completely on fire on 14th street between 6th and 7th avenues. Within minutes a fire truck came and put it out and then left. Then the car caught fire again and a fire truck came back and put it out. This afternoon I saw another car completely burnt out just down the block. My neighbors told me that five fires were set last night between 6th and 7th on 14th street. Does anyone have any information?"

The post as no responses yet. I live on 14th and this was the first I heard about it, but seeing as I live a block away from where these car fires were supposedly set (and my car is parked not far!) I have a selfish reason for wanting to know the scoop, but I'm sure other residents of South Slope would be very interested to know too."

Anyone have scoop? Do we have a rogue arsonist on the loose or all thse burning cars just a verrrry big coinkydink?

UPDATE: Just rec'd the following tip from FIPS reader Katie (as well as these kickass pics): I also live on 14th between 6th and 7th.  When we walked out yesterday morning there were two cars that were completely burned out as well as a bunch of other spots along the sidewalks...from burned trash cans. I called the police precint to see what happened since I couldnt' find anything online and apparently it was arson--some assholes just setting fire to trashcans (and apparently cars). Shitheads. 

Shitheads, indeed. Check this shizzy out:

BREAKING: The Prospect Park Y Just Kinda Exploded

About 10:30 this morning at the 9th Street Y, some kind of coolant/bile/actually coolant starting gushing from the ceiling. The scene at the place:

Of course, most of us went on with our merry workouts (related: I feel like someone just sat on both of my lungs.) Anyway, happy Sunday morning or something.

BREAKING: Fire On 5th Ave and 17th Street

FIPS reader Corey just emailed us with some crazy ass pics of a fire that's goin down on the corner of 5th Ave and 17th street.

HOLY SHITBALLS! Anyone else have scoop?

UPDATE: Gothamist has scoop (a boiler exploded in the Associated supermarket).

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: [Fr the Red Cross] "Hi Erica please let your readers know that if they or someone they know has suffered damage due to the fire, the Red Cross may be able to provide assistance and information. Please have them call our 24-hour number at 1-877-REDCROSS (733-2767). For more details on our response to the fire as it happens, please follow us on twitter at twitter.com/redcrossny. Thank you."

O Bi Boing!, Hello 718 Cyclery

New Biz Alert: The former spot of Boing Boing's South location (or "o hi, boing!" as you may have come to know and...love?) on Seventh at 15th is no more.  The creepy plastic doll in a bunting in the window has been replaced by signs for a new retail front for 718 Cyclery, apparently "Park Slope's highest rated bike shop."

By appointment only.  Are these guys gonna give my boys at 9th Street a run for their money? Discuss.

Also, bikes are obviously still socialism. (Why the hell do any of you take anything I say seriously?)