Thieves pickpocketed dozens of people at Florida’s Rockville. How to protect yourself at concerts
Did you happen to lose your cellphone during a music festival this weekend? There's a decent chance it was nabbed by a pickpocket, which happened to dozens of attendees at Welcome to Rockville.
Several people were arrested in a wave of wallet and cellphone thefts at the Welcome to Rockville music festival at Daytona International Speedway, with officials saying they will remained jailed without bail.
What happened at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach?
On Friday, six people were arrested after law enforcement responded to dozens of reports of cellphones and wallets stolen from concertgoers. As of Monday there were 10 people arrested in the Rockville thefts.
Witnesses described the suspects as working in pairs with one reaching into victims' pockets, bags, or purses, stealing the contents, then handing them off to another suspect, the sheriff's office stated.
Four of the six theft suspects arrested Friday night were identified in court documents. Two women arrested remain unidentified. It was determined the majority of the suspects are Colombian nationals who entered the U.S. illegally, lived in Los Angeles, and recently moved to Miami, the sheriff's office stated.
See suspects: Suspects in thefts at Welcome to Rockville identified as illegal Colombian nationals
More than 50 cellphones were recovered from the suspects, who denied stealing them and denied knowing each other, deputies stated.
On Sunday, the Volusia Sheriff's Office announced it had also made two additional arrests in the case Saturday night and those suspects have been charged with multiple grand theft charges. They also said deputies found 18 more stolen phones and several credit cards.
Here's how to protect your belongings at future concerts:
Pack smart for a concert
When attending a concert, it's best to keep the amount of valuables on your person at a minimum. Try to only pack necessary items, such as your I.D., wallet and phone.
Ticketmaster offers some other suggestions on items to bring if you have space, such as:
Verified tickets
Hair ties
Apps, such as rideshare or messaging apps to contact others
Sunscreen
Earplugs
External battery
Water bottle (check with venue's policies beforehand)
You can also check ahead to see if there are any lockers on site at a venue or on festival grounds. For a fee, you can store your most valuable items such as passports and credit cards.
Dress to protect what you bring
If you are bringing valuable or treasured items to a concert, try to incorporate clothing that will protect your things. This can include jackets with pockets on the inside or cross body bags.
Generali Global Insurance also suggests when carrying money and cards, try to spread them around to minimize the risk of being left with nothing if you do end up getting pickpocketed.
If there is one tip to remember, it's to never keep your phone or any valuables in your back pocket.
Pay attention to who’s around you and what’s going on in the area
While it's easy to get lost in the music, make sure you are checking out the area around you at all times. Keep track of your belongings, especially in a larger crowd.
If you see something suspicious or feel someone scoping you out as a target, don't hesitate to move away and let security know. Above all, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Prepare a backup plan if you do lose phone, money
It doesn't hurt to have a plan in place in case you are the victim of theft during a concert.
Check your insurance policy beforehand to make sure you’re covered for all your belongings before going away. Experts also recommend taking pictures of any valuable items such as bank cards. If your items are stolen, file a report immediately with security.
If you're traveling with a group, have a designated location planned out to meet in case you can't get in contact with the other.
As another precaution for those traveling, EDM Identity offers concertgoers the option of a second form of identification safely tucked away in your hotel room or nearby in case yours is stolen.
Other concert safety tips to keep in mind
In addition to keeping your items safe, nonprofit anti-sexual assault organization RAINN also offers tips on how to stay safe during a concert or festival in general:
Stay hydrated - Festivals often occur in environments with hot, humid temperatures, and involve lots of walking through the festival grounds to see artists on different stages.
Have a specific meeting place at a set time with your friends - This way, you can easily find each other if separated between the hundreds of thousands of people on festival grounds.
Use safety equipment if permitted - For instance, safety items like pepper spray (where legal) and personal alarms can help deter potential attackers who attempt sexual or physical violence in dense crowds.
Prepare for being in an enclosed area with many people nearby - If you're uncomfortable with people touching you, especially in a mosh environment, managing your triggers and having supportive and understanding friends with you are helpful.
Protect your alcoholic drinks and check on friends who are drinking heavily - This way, you can ensure they stay safe in case someone attempts to spike drinks.
Have a support system in place - Friends can be a great asset when protecting you and looking for potential danger. For instance, you can use the “buddy system” when visiting the bathroom or leaving your group to see new artists.
Be aware of your surroundings - Know where the exits are in case you need to leave quickly.
Prepare adequately for the festival - Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, pack snacks and drinks, use a backpack or purse, charge your phone to 100% and bring a battery pack, Leave valuables you won't need at home.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida Rockville festival plagued by pickpockets. Tips to prevent it
