WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two women face multiple charges after they were caught at SunFest on Saturday night with five stolen cellphones, police said.
West Palm Beach police spokesman Mike Jachles said while thousands were watching singer Jack Johnson perform, the two suspects were watching concertgoers and looking to snatch people's phones.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: SunFest
At about 10 p.m., investigators said a 29-year-old woman from Boynton Beach was watching the show when the women pushed up against her.
Police said the victim told them to, "Get the (expletive) off me."
A few minutes elapsed before the woman realized the pair stole her cellphone and wallet in the brush-up. She alerted nearby officers, who tracked the suspects heading south from the stage along Flagler Drive.
Jachles said an officer walking from south to north intercepted the suspects, who both began speaking Spanish, were elusive, uncooperative and refused to give their names or any information.
Additional victims came forth and also identified the suspects. As they were placed in handcuffs, both women resisted, police said.
The arresting officer found five cellphones stuffed into the crotch of the shorts of one of the suspects, Jachles said.
The suspects were tentatively identified as Briyith Nunez, 30, and Angelica Fernandez, 24.
Police said they have returned the phones to the victims — the woman from Boynton Beach, a man from Orlando and women from South Carolina and Maryland.
A fifth victim, a 19-year-old female from Coconut Creek, had her wallet stolen from her bag at the A Boogie wit da Hoodie concert. Police said her property was also recovered and returned.
Jachles said the women who were arrested had more than $1,800 in cash, debit, credit and retail gift cards, Florida driver's licenses and IDs, a college ID and a personal check that did not belong to them.
Evidence seized included a boarding pass from a flight to Miami from L.A. for Nunez and jewelry. There was also a receipt from a Target store in Miami from Saturday morning for the following purchases: two $200 Visa gift cards, sunscreen, chips, coffee, candy, and apparel totaling $460.99.
Detectives believe there are more victims of the duo, who are believed to be part of an organized ring.
The women face five counts each of robbery by sudden snatching and one count each of resisting arrest. They are being held at the main Palm Beach County jail.
Anyone with information about the suspects should report the tip using the SaferWatch App or the SaferWatch website. If you believe you are a victim of Nunez and Fernandez from the weekend, call West Palm Beach police at 561-822-1900.
Jachles had said earlier that the women were from Colombia but later did not give a city or country of residence for either suspect.
Also, police previously said six phones were recovered but later said it was five.
