Will Alleged Thief Steal Bait Phone at Music Festival?

Every year, thousands of phones are pickpocketed by professional thieves taking advantage of fans distracted by a live event. Kyle Manning was at Lollapalooza when he says a thief deliberately bumped into him. Manning was then knocked into the arms of an accomplice who he says swiped his phone. To investigate how bad the cellphone-stealing issue is, Inside Edition sent a producer undercover to Lollapalooza with a new iPhone inside her clear backpack. An alleged thief took the bait phone that had an Apple Airtag attached to it. Within minutes, Inside Edition caught up to the alleged pickpocket, who denied any wrongdoing.

[@Kopano.Tlali69]

It makes me so angry when insider dosen't report criminals, he is literally right there

[@irrelevant2235]

Why didn't they confront the guy as soon as he took the phone?

[@amethystAnge7]

Maybe he was working for inside edition, and they just set up this scenario to bring awareness to people don’t know

[@filozofi86EL]

Because Inside edition is a liberal and leftist media.They don’t like illegal immigrants to look bad.

[@grassdungeon8433]

@@amethystAnge7they would’ve blurred his face if he was an actor

[@Joomlahacks]

Stealing is not a crime in America. Why do you think many stores gets looted??

[@TheseEyesSeeDarknessClearly7]

Y’all really just let the guy get away with stealing your property? I’m sure you really taught him a lesson!

[@okamijubei]

Humans of America start to act more like wimps since after 9/11

[@skycloud4802]

In future the thief is going to search the cases and maglocks for airtags, and be wary of hidden cameras. All this is doing is teaching the criminals how to be smarter.

[@ClarkKent-mm9sb]

Boohoo cope 😂

[@ticenits1926]

They can't exactly threaten him on air, if this wasn't a news crew he'd be getting warned about losing his teeth

[@inquisitvem6723]

They could’ve used a cheap phone to do this experiment…just dumb…his face was shown at least.

[@truneilson]

So you just gave the their a $1200 phone and did not have him arrested? Terrible story!

[@chanela.7786]

Could’ve been a prototype of it(be locked)

[@irrelevant2235]

Why didn't they confront the guy as soon as he took the phone?

[@vertexvortex5]

They make my blood boil more when they just let him go, like what's the point of the airtag 😂😂

[@stuart4341]

@@vertexvortex5 yeah absolutely ridiculous they lost 1400 dollars on that

[@ClarkKent-mm9sb]

Hahaha life goes on 😅

[@Cujucuyo]

Why not use a fake phone as bait? Or report him?! You literally gave him a free phone and a free pass.

[@craighutto9282]

A theft is recorded on video, phone is air tagged and thief is identified and confronted, then you watch him walk away. Thanks a bunch inside edition!

[@AnneOhn123]

How do you know the cops aren't waiting for him already? Duh...

[@richmaninthemaking6535]

Ain’t no way they rlly put a real iPhone as bait

[@imathreat209]

What morons do a sting like this without police standing by to capture these thieves so they can be perminatly banned from future events. They let him go and he's going to victimize other people now

[@lukephillips5336]

Ellie

[@septillion2501]

​@@imathreat209He's like, thanks for the new phone Inside Edition morons 😂

[@Shonen88_Champion]

I was really confused too 😂😂😂

[@nyteowl8069]

A brand new one at that lol

[@irrelevant2235]

Why didn't they confront the guy as soon as he took the phone?

[@rochester3]

They should’ve had security team on his ass

[@elchiconews7107]

Not doing anything about this robbery is like giving this guy a $1200 dollars gift. And the same as supporting them if they don't report to the police.

[@ilsils2192]

By the time the police get there he ll be long gone...lol😅

[@cobracommander9138]

@@ilsils2192 That's when do a citizens arrest!

[@ilsils2192]

@@cobracommander9138 and why would i do that thats none of my business...and i am not putting my life at risk for no dammm phone.

[@nickwinng]

"You took her phone, we got a video tape of you taking it?" "Oh you didn't take it, have a good day sir." wtf was that?

[@itsbonkerjojo9028]

😂😂😂 the thief was like bye see ya later

[@michaelmiguel6937]

This is just like the bike video. There’s no reporting. You just gave him a free phone and gave him the confidence of knowing even when confronted he won’t face consequences

[@xras66]

usually a thief does not work alone - he immediately passes the phone to another person, and this one can give it to a third.

[@jamaprogaming2137]

inside edition: *i just saw you steal a £1200 phone. there's video evidence* theft: *no, i didn't* inside edition: *oh sorry, i must be seeing things. continue your journey and have a nice day* random guy: * oh no, i put my phone in a secure place- sticking out my see-through bag, and now it's gone*

[@runsusierun80]

I don’t think you have to be that good of a thief when people have massive phones dangling out of their pockets. 😂🙌🏼

[@ClarkKent-mm9sb]

🤡s Born everyday and we're going to take their phones 😂

[@runsusierun80]

@@ClarkKent-mm9sb 😂 I mean you’re not wrong.

[@fear7126]

@@runsusierun80can’t argue with that 😂

[@cobracommander9138]

It was nice of Inside Edition to give thieves an incentive to keep stealing phones. Now they know even when caught nothing happens to them.

[@imathreat209]

You can catch thieves all you want. DAs dont prosecute. Theives will never be punished

[@georgewashington3012]

“Woke” DEMOCRAT DAs don’t prosecute - e.g. San Fran.

[@tdestroyer4780]

@@georgewashington3012 Seems like their voter base doesn't realize that most people in jail deserve to be there.

[@ladyriethegoldendelmo5441]

yea getting slap on a wrist will do that to u lol

[@UraniumBullets]

So why did they only blur one of the suspect's faces? Did they get the phone back? Did they contact security/authorities? Inside Edition, your reporting is disappointing as per usual.

[@georgewashington3012]

Yep, they just want the clicks. Journalism is dead.

[@irrelevant2235]

Why didn't they confront the guy as soon as he took the phone?

[@gabethedinosaur95]

I had my iPhone stolen 10 years ago when I was in high school. Ever since then I’m keeping my phone safe with me

[@irrelevant2235]

Inside Edition is trying to be smart stating that they have an AirTag planted in the phone's case in order to track it but why didn't they just confront the guy as soon as he took the phone? The guy at that point would've been like five feet away and you wouldn't even need the AirTag.

[@mcdragon0123]

Cant believe they actually let him get away. Like they justed wasted a phone for nothing 😂 They should've just called the cops.

[@invisi6l339]

this is inside edition style 😂😂

[@C18H19NaO5S]

Any good pick pocketer likely has a partner to immediately pass it off too. Never hold your take.

[@ticenits1926]

I don't understand why anyone would try to steal the phone these days, they're completely useless and will just get permanently locked by the owner as soon as they get home to their computer

[@atm6502]

They ship them to china for the parts

[@RSHjr]

The good ole “me no speaka good ingwish” 💩

[@josephbennett3482]

Several ways to prevent a thief from stealing your phone or even your wallet by putting a chain on your phone and your wallet then put it in a tight fitting pocket to where it's difficult to remove and you can feel it if someone is attempting to get it from your pocket , and as for the wallet make sure that you have the opening facing inward in the pocket so a thief can't remove any cards or cash from it without taking the wallet out of the pocket.

[@ElectricVehiclesAreGoodF-ti7xd]

Or better yet a safe inside a bigger safe! And tote it around in a rusty wheelbarrow!

[@gayelee677]

So, if you had an air tag on the phone, you should have been able to follow it immediately even if it switched hands.

[@Eauxz]

Bro passed the persuasion skill check. He had evidence and everything and he still convinced him that he didn’t have it lmfao.

[@ChristicleNielsen]

Inside Edition fumbled on their own story. Had they followed the guy and gotten authorities they could’ve found tons of stolen phones.

[@joshcuff3575]

That’s good you got him on video also he stole the phone and lied; I know it’s a social experiment and hold him accountable and get him arrested. Also thank you inside edition for reminding us to keep our belongings safe.

[@candace8412]

I imagine that it was handed over to another thief. They probably tossed the airtag before doing so.

[@raymonddavis483]

We’ll if people stop leaving their phones halfway out of their back pockets things like this wouldn’t happen. I had a coworker that I warned about this and one day I thought I’d try to take it just to see how easy it would be so I took it and she didn’t realize it was gone for about 30 minutes. When I gave it back to her I told her how easy it was then she smiled and put it right back in her pocket sticking halfway out!🤦‍♂️

[@xyphire1]

Nice! You pulled the "It's a prank bro!" when you got caught. Thats smart.

[@AlainnCorcaigh]

im quite happy leaving my phone at home and just bringing a disposable camera. i prefer living the moment

[@tireddaily]

can we get a follow up? cause why’d you let him get away? 😭

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

Fortunately for me my phone has NOTHING that identifies me. I do not live my life by my phone. Half the time I don't even know where it is.

[@jeffs2884]

He got arrested right?

[@_HolyHell_]

That's why I only wear pants or shorts with zipper pockets to concerts. That also helps the phone from flying out of your pocket if you're in a mosh pit lol

[@sillyrabbit6203]

You let a thief get away with $1200 phone. You sure told him.

[@Shastasnow]

Thank you so much for undercover. A great idea and hope more concerts do this. Yes keep your phone somewhere safer than a pocket but even that can not be enough.

[@fear7126]

lol

[@user-uq1yk1kp1u]

Hopefully inside edition reported the pickpocket to seceruity and the police so that he can be caught or stopped.

[@georgewashington3012]

If it’s a democrat run city, the police won’t bother because the “woke” DA will refuse to prosecute.

[@Kopano.Tlali69]

They didn't and he will do it again

[@Shado09246]

What kind of bait scenario was that. Infuriating that they just let him get away

[@artt714]

Why blur the other 2 faces you can see how they all come together when he’s about to steal the phone

[@cobracommander9138]

People at concerts usually have their phone in their hand recording the whole time and not paying attention to the concert.

[@migm1520]

How tf did he not get arrested? I'm confused af baby.

[@gmoney2.059]

😂😂😂😂 I thought they were going to get it back lol

[@stevejay7721]

Didn't they say an air tag was placed on the stolen phone? So what happened????

[@rochester3]

They stopped tracking it

[@dragulia_venaro]

All my jeans front pocket is tight enough to keep my phone. No one can pull it out easily, even myself😅 Never put your phone inside your back pocket, because you won't feel anything if you get distracted with something else.

[@invisi6l339]

i used to put my phone in my back pocket for convenience. i did that countless times. where i live is relatively safe, crime rate is pretty low. most people have legal stable jobs or retired. most people just go about their days instead of thinking about stealing other people's properties. but sometimes if you're unlucky you bump into the wrong people and got your stuff stolen. i'm glad it had not happened to me and i will never anything valuable in my back pocket again ...

[@dustercat21]

This is why I either use a clear crossbody bag or clear fanny pack and keep my phone in the zipper pocket if im not holding it and i keep my wallet separate from my phone. I always have it hooked up to a portable charger with a 10 foot cable if I'm not allowed to bring a bag and im putting it in my pocket bc half the time, they swipe so fast they dont realize a cord might be attached bc its hidden in my pocket also and i would fell the tug without a doubt. There's also a wrist wrap you can get for your phone or an around the neck lanyard phone case so its right on your neck and its not counted as a bag

[@1hughjanus80]

They really just let a thief keep the phone 😂

[@randomtourist6656]

😂😂😂😂😂 “we made sure to PLACE AN AIRTAG ON THE BAG” 👏🏽 👏🏽 How very clever & genius. 😂😂 Thanks for the brand new phone

[@hugohugo990]

But did you notice they were wearing scarves though?? 😮😮😮 great reporting

[@luckyu521]

At least use a fake phone

[@TheOnlyGamerToDoIt]

Lmao the title is dumb. Should've been "Pick pocketer snatches our brand new $1200 iphone & gets away"

[@lordlogan4296]

We not gonna talk about the camera man looking at that girls caboose 😂

[@Stand4Liberty]

Not satisfied with this story ,unbelievable.

[@journeymansmitty8283]

Well yeah that is like Christmas for a criminal🤔

[@jondoe-du2fr]

Hey, Inside Edition. Please let me know when your next music festival bait phone appearance will be. My current phone is due an upgrade. Thanks.

[@tylerross9210]

So you just give that criminal a free $1200 phone then? Must be nice

[@xras66]

Why doesn't this test phone explode 2 minutes after being stolen?

[@_Fox_Dye]

Imagine if you need a expert to tell you where to keep your phone !!! You definitely need to rethink your life 😂

[@lucid_dreams420]

Shoulda have a 2nd person following the thief when he got the phone and an officer that coulda searched him during the confrontation.

[@hugohugo990]

“Notice how they’re wearing scarves” lmao y’all just gave a 1200 dollar present to a thief. Great reporting

[@TheRManProds]

LMAO THEY JUST LET THE GUY LEAVE AND GET AWAY!

[@thealextrifier]

You gotta pay attention to your phone everywhere nowadays 😟

[@FDR-ww6xz]

Phone pickpockets always find a way to steal phones and talk their way out from investigators. 2:05

[@windsongmoonchild6400]

ok so Inside Edition just let the thief get away. Good one inside edition

[@irrelevant2235]

You may as well keep a wad of cash visible sticking out of your purse or back pocket.

[@TheRManProds]

THEY JUST WASTED A PHONE!

[@sophienben-achour5450]

Umm, you literally just let that criminal get away with stealing a phone, after you filmed him doing it and then tracked him with an AirTag directly back to him. Am I missing something here??

[@kingskid4804]

Interesting to know if they got their phone back?

[@ropeysubstance1719]

Imagine doing an "investigative sting operation" video and not even get your phone back. You literally lost money doing this report lmao

[@j7925]

people act like they never heard of front pockets

[@prog3142]

They really thought they were going to get that phone back

[@unintimid8ed]

Why do women put their phones in their back pocket 😂😂😂

[@KingAlexv]

That’s breathtaking

[@LAMETH-ou1xw]

Lisa has lost over 1.2 million dollars in goods to thieves. How did she capture the guy doing it and he still got away..

[@brucefread3014]

Let's see them steal my flip phone from my front pants pocket.

[@TheChicowoodson2005]

Where is the video of the off camera beat down? Haha 😂

[@johnyquach]

They gave a criminal a treat, wow .

[@maxfrax333]

I have no worries - I still have a flip-phone. Lol!

[@istrumguitars]

How was that matroda set

[@rogerdouglas2306]

lmao what did they think was gonna happen when they confronted him! nice job giving a free phone and airtag to thieves.

[@nwilt7114]

Knowing Chicago if they reported the thief, he would go to jail for a night and wake up a freeman with a 🔑 to the city. 😂

[@atlas6251]

I was at Lollapalooza this year and the amount of pickpocketing was INSANE. So many people ended up never finding their phones.

[@Ravasco20]

And you let him go... I'm sure he learned a lesson🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jasontungjw]

My phone will always be on my hand in a concert lol so these thieves don’t ever stand a chance!

[@knowaries]

Bring a dummie phone to take pictures when your going to see a concert.

[@Jorge-pu3tr]

Lol did they just give that thief a brand new phone

[@simonrangel9522]

$1200 down the drain…. Lmfao 🤣

[@CookHeisenberg]

So you gave a thief your phone? lol

[@superprofi4307]

why do you take a real phone as "bait"?!

[@revengine4830]

You guys really did that to new iphone? Well phone is gone, but we got one story 😂

[@_PAIGE94]

So messed up

[@diorynovis]

The relatives of the thief must be very proud of him

[@user-hv7ts2dt5r]

Keep your phone in your front pocket, genius.

[@noooooom8154]

im just laughing at the fact someone stole all those cell phones, wrapped em' in foil to keep off tracking and then left the bag

[@user-rk2sy8df4s]

Thanks for giving a free phone to thieves!

[@JasonT850]

If I ever go into a crowd, everything goes into my front pockets. It is much harder for them to steal out of your front then it is your back.

[@vincequijano3531]

Ok class what we learn from this video? , the whole entire class: NOTHING

[@firefly2508]

You gave the thieves a brand new working iPhone?...smh...that's really smart. At least we have one of the thieves on camera.

[@joshuavang5449]

Aint no one gonna be stealing mine. I got a flip phone. Lol.

[@NRV0]

Did they ever get the phone back?

[@LanxPenzenpepper]

If ur going on this kind of places, buy a chest bag, put it inside a hoodie and watch them not find anything to steal 😂