AUSTIN, Texas — Austin City Limits Musical Festival is back for the second weekend at Zilker Park, where tens of thousands of distracted music fans can be easy targets for pickpocketers.
“You get this many people, there’s bound to be some theft,” said concertgoer, John Kotz.
The Austin Police Department said cell phones have been the prime target.
During the first weekend of ACL this year, APD said they received 44 reports of theft— 42 of which, were for cell phones.
Concert goer, Megan Gertz, said, “I feel like [cellphones] are the most valuable item most people are carrying;” and thieves definitely know that, like 23-year-old Victor Manuel Ordonez.
He was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity last year at ACL. APD said he was arrested at the festival while carrying a bag that contained 35 newer-model cell phones.
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The cell phones had a value of up to $45,000.
APD said during ACL’s 2021 pickpocketing ring– over 250 cell phones were stolen.
“I’ve definitely noticed some phones in back pockets,” said Kotz.
At ACL Fairgrounds, it feels like almost everywhere you turn, there’s a phone in a hand, or back pocket.
Plus, in big crowds, it’s easy to get pushed or shoved– that’s when investigators say people usually get robbed unsuspectingly.
Police said, how it typically works is one person steals the phone and passes it to another person who is carrying a bag, specifically designed to block cellular reception, so the phones can’t be tracked by their owners.
“You just got to protect yourself a little bit, be aware of your surroundings,” said Kotz.
Some concertgoers said they’re packing light to avoid having their items lost or stolen.
Fanny packs and zippers have become some peoples’ best bet when securing their phones.
“I always make sure I’m wearing stuff where I can feel if [my phone] is in my pocket– and if I’m not confident in that, I put it in my fanny pack where it has a zipper so it’s secure,” said Gertz.
APD said they want to reduce the number of crimes and theft at ACL– here are some tips they shared: avoid leaving your phone in your back pocket, and lock you backpacks or fanny packs.
