Austin police continue to see an increase in phone thefts during the Austin City Limits Music Festival

AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin City Limits Musical Festival is back for its second weekend at Zilker Park, where tens of thousands of distracted music fans can be an easy target for pickpockets.

“With that many people, there’s definitely going to be some theft,” said concertgoer John Kotz.

Austin police said cell phones were the main target.

On the first ACL weekend this year, the APD said it received 44 reports of thefts – 42 of which involved cell phones.

Concertgoer Megan Gertz said: “I feel like it [cellphones] are the most valuable item most people carry,” and thieves definitely know that, like 23-year-old Victor Manuel Ordonez.

He was charged with involvement in organized crime at ACL last year. APD said he was arrested at the festival while carrying a bag containing 35 late-model cell phones.

ALSO| Two arrests and 42 cell phone thefts were reported during the first weekend of the 2024 ACL Music Festival

The cellphones were valued at up to $45,000.

APD said over 250 cell phones were stolen during the 2021 ACL pickpocketing ring.

“I definitely noticed some phones in the back pockets,” Kotz said.

At ACL Fairgrounds, it feels like you have a phone in your hand or back pocket almost everywhere you go.

In addition, in large gatherings of people it can easily happen that you are pushed or shoved – then, according to investigators, people are usually robbed without knowing.

Police said the way it usually works is that one person steals the phone and gives it to another person who is carrying a bag specifically designed to block cellular reception so that the phones cannot be located by their owners .

“You just have to protect yourself a little bit, pay attention to your surroundings,” Kotz said.

Some concertgoers said they would pack light to prevent their items from being lost or stolen.

Belt bags and zippers are the best choice for some people when it comes to securing their phones.

“I always make sure I wear things where I can feel if [my phone] “It’s in my pocket – and if I’m not sure about it, I put it in my fanny pack where it has a zipper so it’s secure,” Gertz said.

APD said they want to reduce the number of crimes and thefts at ACL – here are some tips they shared: Avoid leaving your phone in your back pocket and lock your backpacks or fanny packs.