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Gang stole 28 phones from music fans at SSE Hydro as crowd watched Royal Blood

Many of the devices were simply plucked from back pockets as the crowd listened to the act.

A gang of phone thieves are behind bars after targeting concert goers at the SSE Hydro.

The four men were foiled by undercover police based at Partick who mounted an operation to stop them.

 Guilty: four men have pleaded guilty to stealing phones at the SSE Hydro
Guilty: four men have pleaded guilty to stealing phones at the SSE Hydro

In just a few hours, the gang stole 28 mobile phones from unsuspecting fans.

Many of the devices were simply plucked from back pockets as the crowd listened to the act.

But police were watching and caught the men red-handed.

The men pled guilty to charges of theft when they appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week.

Cristian Antonio, 23, Gheorghe Nelu Lazar, 38, Nicole Stase, 41, and Marian Popa, 42, admitted to multiple theft of mobile phones at the concert on Friday November 24.

Officers targeted the venue on the evening the Royal Blood UK tour came to Glasgow.

 Haul: many of the phones were simply plucked from back pockets while fans watched the gig
Haul: many of the phones were simply plucked from back pockets while fans watched the gig

Police were acting on intelligence following the theft of phones at gigs in England.

The devices taken by the gang in Glasgow were recovered and returned to their owners on the night.

The four will be sentenced on Tuesday 9 January.

Sergeant Bryan McLaren, from Partick Police Office, was one the officers who took part in the operation.

He said: “These opportunistic individuals arrived at the venue that night intent on stealing a large number of mobile phones, ruining the night for their victims.

“As a result of information we received from police forces down south, as well as the swift actions of a team of dedicated officers, the suspects were caught red handed on the night.

“I hope this outcome sends a clear message to criminals who think they can get away with targeting busy concert venues and catch their victims off guard.

"This type of criminality will not be tolerated and Police Scotland will act upon any intelligence received to proactively identify these individuals and put a stop to their behaviour.”

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