VANDERBIJLPARK – An alleged syndicate stealing cellphones has hit the Vaal’s nightlife scenes. What many clubgoers don’t know is that not only the scary-looking dudes do it.

The latest incident involved a popular DJ and his friend who were caught stealing an iPhone from a patron at Boom Shake.

What saved the day was closed-circuit TV footage that depicted the duo orchestrating their ‘well-planned thuggery’.

The video that was widely circulated on social media platforms saw the pair working together to pickpocket a mobile phone from a guest seated in the club’s VIP section.

According to sources close to the incident, the two individuals have been beaten and exposed on social media for their theft. In recent months, the friend of the DJ was also caught red-handed at one of Sharpeville’s night life lounges, where he stole a phone.

Speaking to Ster, Boom Shake Club Manager Mandla ‘Scottish’ Mthimkhulu, explained what unfolded.

“The club was already closed, and the staff were just hanging out when the incident happened. One of the guys stole a phone and gave it to the DJ, who left the establishment to try and hide it,” Mthimkhulu said.

“When the owner of the phone learned that his phone was missing, we checked the CCTV and saw what transpired and who took the phone. The guy who stole the phone has been a culprit at many clubs before,” he added.

Mthimkhulu said this business of stealing phones is a syndicate targeting clubs in the Vaal.

“This is not a situation that only hit our establishment. This is serious business that well-dressed and popular individuals have embarked on. People come as far as the East Rand to target clubs just to steal phones,” he said.

Mthimkhulu condemned the incident and assured the safety of their patrons.

“We’ve beefed up our security in our club to make sure that our patrons never lose any valuable stuff. We condemn this thuggery act and want to ensure our guests that our establishment is safe,” he said.