AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department has recovered more than 100 iPhones stolen from unsuspecting partygoers over Halloween weekend. Pick pocketers targeted the city’s historic 6th Street, where one bartender says people are packed like sardines.
When people are out for the night on the famous 6th Street, they may just slip their phone into their pocket, but is it safe there? Spectrum News asked that same question to people walking along the street, and for the most part, people felt it was safe.
Soho Lounge bartender Casey Dominguez has been working in bars along 6th Street for about 10 years. He says Halloween and New Years Eve are the two busiest holidays.
“There’s a lot of tourists that aren’t from here, and the hustlers are going to come out and then say you’re not paying attention to your phones, or your purses, stuff like that… you set it down and you turn around and your friends aren’t watching you or anything… somebody that has ill intentions are going to walk up and snag it from you,” Dominguez said.
So, what are some things people should do to keep their valuables safe? Dominguez says to drink responsibly, stay aware and watch drinks, explaining people have been drugged and had their belongings stolen.
“I’ve worked at a lot of these bars,” Dominguez said. “The only thing I can say is just take care of yourself and the people you came out with.”
After Spectrum News told people on 6th Street about the more than 100 stolen iPhones that had been recovered, it was met with both surprise and indifference, with people saying they would be more aware or expressing not knowing what else to do with their belongings to keep them safe.
According to APD, no arrests have been made yet in connection to the stolen phones.