The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested and charged a 17-year-old boy from Northwest with snatching a person’s AirPods earbud headphones.

The incident took place on M Street NW at about 8:10 p.m. Monday, police said.

The suspect, unnamed by police, is accused of approaching the unnamed victim from behind while they were listening to their headphones, taking the wireless Apple AirPods and fleeing the scene. The suspect was stopped by officers who responded to the robbery; he has been charged with robbery by snatching.

In May, MPD warned District residents that Apple AirPods, over-the-ear Beats headphones and similar products were increasingly a target for thieves. In a Facebook post, police said that people in the District wearing headphones should stay aware of their surroundings.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.