Chinese pickpocket caught in the act of stealing mobile phone

HONG KONG — A pickpocket in China was caught in the act of stealing a woman’s mobile phone after he was photographed by chance by the friend of the victim, mainland media reported.

A woman, identified only as Jia, had her iPhone 6S phone stolen after putting it in her pocket while eating fried chicken as she walked down a staircase with her friend in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, on Feb 3.

The friend, who was walking a few paces in front of Ms Jia, was secretly taking photographs of her as she ate so that she could tease her about the pictures later, the news website Zznews.gov.cn reported on Monday (Feb 6).

However, the friend found that she had taken pictures just as a man approached Ms Jia and took her phone from her pocket.

One photo showed half of the face of the man, who was dressed in a black jacket and trousers.

Another picture showed the man’s hand as he took the phone out of Ms Jia’s pocket, the report said.

“(My friend) always secretly captures me during my ugly moments, any time, anywhere!” Ms Jia said.

Two minutes after the photographs were taken Ns Jia realised her phone was missing.

Her friend immediately looked through the photos she had taken and found the two pictures showing the man’s face and his hand grabbing the phone, the report said.

They contacted police and showed them the two pictures. Police were able to arrest a suspect in the case three days later.

It is unclear whether Ms Jia recovered her phone. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST