Colin Atagi

Palm Springs Desert Sun

A New York man is accused of taking more than 100 cell phones from attendees at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The suspected pickpocket, Reinaldo De Jesus Henao, was arrested at the Empire Polo Club on suspicion of grand theft and possession of stolen property, according to Indio police.

Festival-goers used find-my-phone app to follow suspect

Several attendees noticed their phones were missing and activated a find-my-phone application, which led them to the 36-year-old suspect. They followed him through the venue, and he was later detained by security until police arrived.

Jail records show he was arrested about 12:15 a.m. Saturday.

Officers found the cell phones inside Henao's backpack, police said.

Several phones were returned to their owners Friday and Saturday, and others were left at a lost-and-found site.

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Henao was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. He was released Saturday after posting $10,000 bail, according to jail records.

He's tentatively scheduled to appear in Riverside County Superior Court on May 26.

Cathedral City officers assisted in the arrest, Indio police said.

How to safeguard your stuff

Officials provided these tips on avoiding phone or wallet theft during the festival, which will bring in a new crowd of more than 100,000 people for its second weekend April 21-23:

Carry phones or wallets in your front pocket instead of your rear pocket and use an elastic band to attach them to your body.

Carry a dummy phone or wallet.

Spread valuables instead of keeping them in one place.

LAST YEAR: Coachella music festival's arrests up from 2015

Traditionally, Indio police announce arrests the day after the concert wraps up. In previous years, arrests have mostly involved drugs, alcohol or fake IDs.

Last year, Indio police reported 128 people were arrested during Weekend 1. That was followed by 142 arrests during Weekend 2.