What to know<\/p>\n
A Toronto resident says her phone was stolen while attending Do West Fest this weekend.<\/p>\n
She later encountered other festivalgoers who claimed their phones had also been taken.<\/p>\n
The incident sparked dozens of comments from people sharing similar experiences at festivals and large events.<\/p>\n
Festivalgoers are being reminded to keep phones, wallets and other valuables secure in crowded areas.<\/p>\n
Summer festivals often attract large crowds, creating opportunities for pickpockets to target distracted attendees.<\/p>\n
Planning to hit up Do West Fest or any other festival this summer? Watch your pockets, Toronto thieves are targeting crowded events, and one local\u2019s story is a wake-up call.<\/p>\n
Toronto resident Yarah<\/a> shared a PSA on TikTok about how her phone was stolen at Do West Fest, a popular street festival that drew thousands to Dundas Street West over the weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n @yarahmusic<\/a> PLEASE WATCH IF YOURE GOING TO DU WEST #duwest<\/a> #toronto<\/a> #torontofestival<\/a> #summerfestival<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 Yarah<\/a> <\/p>\n Toronto resident shares theft warning<\/p>\n \u200bShe explained that it seemed a girl was trying to get through the crowd and followed Yarah and her friends, but in reality, she was trying to steal Yarah\u2019s phone.<\/p>\n \u201cShe put her hands on my waist and I immediately found that to be weird,\u201d Yarah said in the video.<\/p>\n \u200bWhen Yarah tried to ask the cops if someone had returned a phone, three other girls reportedly said their phones had also been stolen.<\/p>\n How does she feel?<\/p>\n Yarah shared her disappointment in the situation, as the thief has no idea what people are going through or can even afford to replace their phone.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was literally the last thing I needed right now or in my life at all, so I seriously hope that you change and become a better person,\u201d Yarah said in hopes that the video pops up on the thief\u2019s \u201cFor You Page\u201d (FYP.)<\/p>\n Her advice is simple: don\u2019t keep your phone in your pocket, stay aware of your surroundings and be extra cautious in crowded areas this summer.<\/p>\n Next steps<\/p>\n Yarah is debating returning with a decoy phone in hopes of finding the same girl.<\/p>\n Overall, the Toronto resident is grateful she didn\u2019t have her wallet stolen as well, saying the situation could\u2019ve been even worse.<\/p>\n She reminds Torontonians to never leave their phone or anything valuable in their pockets.<\/p>\n Festivalgoers share similar experiences\u00a0<\/p>\n In her TikTok video, festivalgoers relate to getting their phones stolen.<\/p>\n \u201cSAME GIRL! THEY TOOK MY PHONE AND THE GUY BESIDE ME. So sad, had to go buy another one,\u201d a TikTok user commented.<\/p>\n \u201cHappened to me at Ossfest last year. My phone ended up in Vietnam. I hate this for you girl,\u201d another wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cSame, this happened to my sister-in-law at Do West Fest,\u201d another added.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s terrible. My phone was taken from my bag at Pride 3 years ago. It sucks!\u201d another related.<\/p>\n But another is glad they didn\u2019t go, considering the influx of negative videos on Do West Fest.<\/p>\n \u201cYikes, I\u2019m glad I stayed home. I was considering going today, but seeing nothing but negative videos from people who went. I\u2019m sorry this happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n While it\u2019s impossible to know how widespread thefts were at this year\u2019s festival, crowded events have long been attractive targets for pickpockets.<\/p>\n Large gatherings often create the perfect conditions for thefts, with attendees distracted by performances, navigating packed crowds or carrying phones in easily accessible pockets.<\/p>\n Toronto festivals regularly attract tens of thousands of people throughout the summer, and police have previously encouraged attendees to keep valuables secured in zippered bags, avoid storing phones in back pockets and remain aware of their surroundings in dense crowds.<\/p>\n