Man Arrested for Stealing Over 100 Phones at the Coachella Art and Music Festival

COACHELLA – A 36-year-old New York man was arrested for the theft of several phones during the Coachella Art and Music Festival authorities said. On Friday evening several attendees noticed that their phones were missing and activated their “Find My Phone” feature of their phone. Some of the victims followed the suspect, later identified as Reinaldo De Jesus Henao. Henao was quickly detained by security while law enforcement was en route to the location.

When officers from the Indio Police Department made contact with Henao, they located over 100 cell phones in his backpack. Some of the owners of the cell phones received their phones back the same day, while others received their phone the following day. The remaining phones went to the Lost and Found to later be claimed.
Indio Police officials would like to remind everyone to take extra caution with valuables in crowded and unfamiliar places. Tips include placing your phone in your front rather than your back pocket. You can also use an elastic band around your wallet or phone to prevent it from smoothly sliding out of your pocket. A “dummy wallet” or phone many times will work since once a thief gets what they are looking for, they likely will not ask for another. The IPD officials also encourage you to spread any valuables rather than keeping everything in one place.

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