PE Music Festival pickpockets found with 21 cellphones

Five people, found with 21 cellphones, said to be pickpockets, were arrested by police officers at a music festival in Port Elizabeth, where spectators were allegedly pickpocketed.

According to a SAPS statement, the suspects, aged between 22 and 29, were rounded up by police with the help of festival-goers in the early hours of Monday 30 December 2019, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.   

The annual Ebubeleni Music Festival featured South African rappers including AKA, Cassper Nyovest and Sho Madjozi.

Pickpockets operating near ablution facilities 

The police statement on Facebook revealed that the suspects were supposedly operationg near the ablution facilities at the music festival.

Police spokesperson Col Priscilla Naidu said: “It is suspected that there were three separate groups of criminals operating near the ablution facilities.”

“Two of the suspects are from Pretoria, while the others are from the Port Elizabeth area.”

Two of the cellphones have since been claimed by their owners while ownership of 18 cellphones still needs to be determined.

Pickpockets detained 

The arrested suspects are detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property and are expected to appear in court soon. The court in which they are due to appear has not yet been disclosed.

Detectives at SAPS Mount Road are appealing to anyone who may have lost their cellphone at the concert to urgently contact Detective Warrant Officer Ferreira on 082 442 8281 or SAPS Mount Road on 041 394 6316.

Cc: @TsepisoNzayo https://t.co/JsJsqrIRVe

— NJ Uhuru Mapapu 🇿🇦🌈 (@NjUhuruMapapu) December 30, 2019

How to spot a pickpocket 

According to travelscams.org, there are three versions in which someone could be pickpocketed. 

• Version 1: they work in a gang – one onlooker, one blocks, pushes, distracts, or engages you, one grabs and the final hides the loot under a cover (e.g. jacket/newspaper) and escapes;
• Version 2: small children or elderly beggars, also known as “strollers” may hassle you for money. While you are distracted, an accomplice will steal from you;
• Version 3: someone comes up to you asking about your shoe size and then comparing your foot with theirs. While distracted, an accomplice steals from you.

Be aware in the following areas 

• Cape Town: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Lion’s Head, Hout Bay, Clifton Beaches, Two Oceans Aquarium, Bo-kaap, Old Biscuit Mill, Company’s Gardens, Muizenberg Beach, Muizenberg Beach, World of Birds, Long Street Baths, Sandy Bay, Greenmarket Square, Castle of Good Hope, Nelson Mandela Square;
• Durban: uShaka Marine World, The Valley of a 1000 Hills, Golden Mile, Victoria Street Market;
• Hartbeespoort: Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary;
• Johannesburg: Neighbourgoods Market, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam, Rosebank Sunday Market, Melville, Carlton Centre, The Mall of Rosebank, African Craft Market of Rosebank, FNB Stadium, Mall of Africa, Top of Africa, Eastgate Shopping Mall, Oriental Plaza;
• Knysna: Knysna Heads;
• Paarl: Fairview Wine and Cheese and
• Pretoria: Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Union Buildings, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Church Square

What will help 

• Passport: Carry a photocopy instead of the actual one to avoid a pickpocket
• Valuables: Keep your wallet in the front pocket, small valuables in a money belt/hidden pouch and large valuables in an anti-theft bag.
• Travel insurance: Get a good one that covers theft – check out the various travel insurance comparison platforms to find the best deal that works for you.