Theft of Apple products in NYC has raised the city's crime rate for the first time in two decades. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The overall crime rate for New York City has risen for the first time in 20 years, but what is driving up crime might be surprising.

The Wall Street Journal reported that crime rose 3 percent in the city due to the theft of Apple products, like the iPhone. New York Police Department spokesman told WSJ there would have been a "slight decline" in overall crime among the city's five boroughs if Apple product thefts had stayed constant, but it rose.

More specifically, as of December 9 grand larceny, which includes Apple products, was up 9 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2011, according to WSJ.

Although this statistic isn't necessarily favorable, homicides in the city for the year were the lowest ever since since similar records began being kept in 1963.

Read more about the city's crime statistics for 2012 in the Wall Street Journal's full article here.

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.

(H/T Business Insider via SlashGear)