Calif. teen dies after trying to retrieve iPhone from thief

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Police say a Southern California teenager has died from injuries she suffered when she fell from the getaway car of a man who stole her iPhone, reports CBS Los Angeles.

According to the station, the suspect confronted 15-year-old Rubi Rubio on July 3 as she was walking with her 7-year-old sister in Santa Ana, Calif.

The man allegedly stopped Rubio to ask for the time, then took her cellphone and fled to a nearby light gray or silver Pontiac vehicle that was being driven by an unknown person, said Santa Ana police. Rubio reportedly jumped on the trunk of the car as it started driving away, holding on briefly to an antenna before falling off and hitting her head.

"Witnesses say the vehicle was swerving back and forth in an attempt to get her off," Police Cpl. Anthony Gertagna told CBS Los Angeles.

Authorities said Rubio was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died of her injuries July 5.

The victim's mother told the station it was unlike her daughter to respond in such an aggressive manner, but that she may have acted because she had broken two phones in the past and might have been afraid she would be in trouble for losing or damaging a third.

CBS Los Angeles reports the iPhone was recovered.

The suspect has been described as Hispanic, in his late 20s or early 30s, between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 with a medium build. He was seen wearing a black baseball cap, white tank top and light-colored jeans, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or the incident is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.