The police tracked the man down after people reported to police officers or enforcement officers around 10:45 PM on Saturday evening that their phone had been stolen.
One of the victims tried to locate her phone using a tracking app and led the police to the vicinity of Clercxstraat. There, officers found a man who fled on foot upon seeing the police. He did not get far and was stopped in Barkstraat. During his escape, he had thrown away a bag containing 15 mobile phones. The man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft or handling of those phones.
Owners Identified via Photos of Phone Cases on Social Media
The police were able to identify the owners of some phones on-site. On Sunday, the Tilburg-Centrum basic team police shared a photo of the cases of the remaining phones on various social media, which prompted seven more people to come forward. The police are now only looking for the owner of the last phone. The suspect has been detained and remains in custody.
Pickpockets Celebrate Carnival Too!
Here’s how to prevent being pickpocketed:
- Be extra alert in crowded places
- Take as few valuable items with you as possible
- Store valuable items securely and out of sight; do not put your phone or wallet in your back pocket
- If you carry a bag, wear it in front of you, with the closure facing your body
- Download an app that can send the location of your phone in case of theft or loss.
If you witness or are a victim of (an attempted) pickpocketing and see the perpetrator, call 112 immediately and provide as clear a description of the perpetrator as possible.