Festival goers react to massive cell thefts at Coachella
Coachella weekend one is in the books. More than one hundred thousand festival goers flooded the polo grounds for three full days of music while police and security were on high alert.
With more than 100,000 people in town, crime is almost inevitable. But some festival goers say they’re shocked to see it happen right under their noses.
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“We didn’t think anything like this would happen at a place like this, everyone’s so happy and good vibes, but I guess not everyone’s there for the same reason,” said Loan Bui who came from Fresno for the festival.
Loan Bui and a group of friends packed their bags and made the trek to the desert for a what was supposed to be a fun weekend at Coachella Fest. Now her friends are going home phone less.
“They got pickpocketed for sure..definitely stolen…cause we were walking holding hands, and we’re so squished it would have been easy for someone to put their hands in a purse real fast,” said
Bui is certainly not alone as this was a problem others have had to deal with.
“We’re just out there to have a good time and that should be the last of your worries, but that happened to me 2 years ago, I lost my phone in the crowd, so I know how that feels like..so I hope they get their phones back,” said Breeana Alvarado.
Some festival goers who had their phones stolen did get their phones back. Police were able to return missing phones after the arrest of 36-year-old Reinaldo de Jesus Henao of New York. Henao was arrested Friday after victims used the “find my phone” function to lead security to him. Police found a backpack with over a hundred stolen cell phones in his backpack.
Read: Suspected cell phone thief arrested at Coachella Fest
Police are still searching for a hit and run driver who struck a woman walking near the festival grounds last night. The vehicle they are looking for is a white Toyota Tacoma. With front end damage and a missing emblem. At last check, the woman is still in the hospital.
Read: Indio police looking for vehicle-related to hit and run near Coachella Fest
The festival is estimated to bring millions of dollars into the local economy, but some locals we talked to said it also brought noise and illegal activity into their neighborhoods.
