Thieves snatch iPhone from pastor during live prayer broadcast
In a shocking incident that has gone viral, a Ghanaian pastor in London was robbed during a Facebook Live sermon, with the thieves unknowingly continuing the broadcast. The incident took place early Thursday morning around 6:30 a.m. on Hoe Street, Walthamstow, a typically busy area in East London.
Pastor Isaac Anderson was conducting his usual morning prayer session when two masked cyclists approached him. Unaware of their intentions, Anderson continued preaching while a bus driver repeatedly honked in an attempt to warn him. Seconds later, one of the men snatched his iPhone 16 Pro Max directly from his hand and sped off.
Phone kept recording as thieves discussed how to stop the livestream
Unbeknownst to the thieves, the phone continued streaming live on Facebook, capturing their startled reactions. One of the men can be heard saying:
“Hey JP, he’s on TikTok. He’s on TikTok live bro… No fam. How do I end it? It’s on Facebook.”
Another, apparently realizing they were being recorded, muttered “Oh s**” before attempting to cover his face with his hoodie.
The footage, now circulated widely on social media and covered by outlets like the Daily Mail UK, has sparked discussions about rising street crime in London.
Pastor Anderson speaks out after the incident
Pastor Anderson, still visibly shaken, later addressed the incident online. In a heartfelt message to his followers, he said:
“All of a 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 urged members of the public to stay alert:
“You have to be very careful… Be careful about your phones and your important stuff. Thieves, burglars, and robbers are everywhere. This is London…”
Phone thefts on the rise in London
This incident is part of a growing wave of phone snatchings across the UK capital. According to Metropolitan Police statistics, over 70,000 phones were reported stolen in London in 2024 alone — triple the number recorded just four years ago.
Many of the stolen devices are resold abroad, often within hours of being taken.
To combat this surge, the Met Police has launched aggressive anti-theft operations using plain-clothed officers, high-speed e-bikes, and even helicopters to track down and intercept suspects in real-time.
Public safety and digital protection
In a world increasingly dependent on mobile technology, the incident is a stark reminder of how quickly personal data can be compromised. Experts advise that users enable features like Find My iPhone, enable Face ID, and back up personal data regularly to cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive.
Additionally, public figures and content creators broadcasting from public spaces are urged to take personal security precautions, especially in urban areas with high crime rates.
