Originally Posted By RockyMtnMinnie A friend of mine was recently at Disneyland on a fairly busy day walking through Critter Country when he felt someone's hand in his pocket. He turned around quickly, but couldn't see or determine who it was. The only thing he had in that pocket was just a cheap lighter, so there was no loss, but it was taken. This is the first time that I've personally known someone who has had their pocket picked at Disneyland. Is this just a rare random act or is this becoming a problem now at Disneyland? Has this happened to anyone else here?
Originally Posted By tashajilek WOW. That has never happend to me yet lol. I always keep my money tucked away in the bottom of my backpack.
Originally Posted By WestWind I have never heard of that issue at DL but I think it is something to be alert to wherever there are crowds of people. I am always careful where I keep my wallet - never in my back pocket. I hope the incident was reported to DL.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Several years ago, a pickpocket ring was busted in the Mickey & Friends parking structure. The thieves were operating out of a parked auto, where they would return throughout the day to drop off their booty. The cops/Feds had been working on this case for a long time, and found hundreds of wallets, cameras, and cell phones in the trunk. These folks were total pros and had been picking pockets in major tourist destinations like DL, throughout SoCal for years. Never assume DL is a safe place to visit. Always be on your guard with your valuables, even your backpack. The Fabulous Disney Babe had her backpack stolen from her chair at Cafe Orleans in the late nineties, when she got up to grab some condiments nearby. She was gone for all of five seconds. The thief disappeared into the crowd, never to be seen again.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: I had someone steal my man away from me at Disneyland a while back. She was a 'plain Jane' type, too! I still don't understand what my favorite man in a loin cloth saw in that hussy!!
Originally Posted By RockyMtnMinnie Wait a minute Witches. It wasn't one of you with your hands in his pocket was it?
Originally Posted By dlkozy Especially watch your belongs where there is extra crowding such as Fantasmic, WoC, parades and such. It is easy to get caught up on the fun and not even notice a slight bump or nudge.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Considering a SoCal pass is relatively cheap, if you are good at pick-pocketing, grabbing a few wallets per day could be a heck of a return on your investment. Folks at DL tend to be less concerned about getting robbed once they pass through the gates, which makes prime hunting grounds for professional thieves - especially when crowded. I am surprised only that we don't hear about this happening more often.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I am aware of it in DL, WDW and DLP. In fact, not DL, but at DLP, the Nurmis was pickpocketed having his wallet stollen. The official Disney hotels are also huge targets too.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf <<The official Disney hotels are also huge targets too.>> Funny you mention that. I was actually walking to my room at the DLH mid-morning one time and noticed some peculiar looking guy (you know, one of those people that don't look like they belong on Disney property) tailing me. I got into the empty elevator and he did too. I hit the button for my floor (8) and he hit 11. When I got off at 8, I noticed he did too and was following about 20 feet behind me. Before I got to my room, I stopped and turned around and stared at him. He panicked, pulled out a credit card and used it to try to open the nearby hotel room door, which of course didn't work. When he reaized the gig was up, he headed back to the elevator and I called security. I filed a report with Disney security but, as far as I know, they never found him. I assume he was going to force himself into my room after I opened the door to rob me but we'll never know. Word to the wise: be aware of the people around you at all times, even on Disney property. There are folks preying on the people lost in Disney-induced euphoria.
Originally Posted By RockyMtnMinnie That is a scary story. Glad you had your wits about you and came out of it ok.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: To answer your question, RockyMtnMinnie, duckling, whenever I do put my hands in a man's pocket it isn't to retrieve money...
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Couldn't a put it better myself, crazycroc! That's tellin' the ol' bat!!
Originally Posted By Scutr >>Keep your hands off of other people's applesacks!<< APPLES?? Good grief!!
Originally Posted By tashajilek "That is a scary story. Glad you had your wits about you and came out of it ok." That is a very scary incident. You wouldnt have thought it to happen at a Disney hotel either.
Originally Posted By Hannibal 8 My daughter and I went to Disneyland Paris a few years back. At the subway station they actually announce warnings to be on the look out for pick pockets. I guess it's a big problem over there; especially on the subway line that goes out to Disneyland Paris. When we were waiting for the train, a gal dressed up like a business women stood right behind us. I looked to my left and right and there was no one else around. I thought, "There's plenty of room on this platform... why is she standing by us?" So I tightened up on my camera and turned around, and she was gone. I guess she knew we were onto her.
Originally Posted By Socrates When I'm visiting big tourist sites in Europe, I like to play a game I call "Spot the Pickpocket." (You know they're there.) Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By Bobwelbaum In 1995, retired Anaheim Chief of Police Harold Bastrup wrote a book entitled "One Police Officer's Experiences". He has a chapter on the early days of Disneyland, including arresting pickpockets and shortchange artists. The book's publisher was listed as Depol Publications, and by the looks I would say it was self-published.
