Metro Police patrolling the Ultra South Africa EDM festival last night, were approached by a attendee, who informed them she had just been pickpocketed of her cell phone. Officers then caught sight of a suspicious person in the crowd, and attempting to move closer, the suspect noticed them moving in and took off running.
Metro Police officers chased him through the crowds and caught up with him outside the Kenilworth Racecourse grounds. In his possession were 11 cell phones, each wrapped in tin foil.
The suspect was arrested on charges of possession of presumed stolen property and handed over to Wynberg SAPS. The practice of wrapping a cell phone in foil is a common used tactic by technology thieves, earlier this week Cape Town SAPS made an excellent arrest of 2 female suspects, who were in the process of wrapping up 2 laptops and cell phones in in foil.
Tin foil only blocks some of the signal, which in turn causes the device to increase its battery usage as signal strength is amplified. Nevertheless, we always recommend attendees of such public events refrain from slipping cell phones or wallets into back pockets, as these make for easy pickings, as do those left in bags worn off the shoulder.
Where possible, it is recommended to place valuables in a bag that is worn on the front of a user and that is secured by means of a zip or similar comple closing mechanism
Credit: JP Smith