Toronto venue says it has nabbed high-tech thieves who preyed on attendees
Toronto concertgoers are breathing a sigh of relief after the security team at Rebel apprehended two suspects allegedly found with multiple stolen phones over the weekend.
The arrests took place in the early hours of Feb. 16, after a concert by Grammy-nominated DJ Steve Aoki. Rebel shared the update on the venue's official Instagram page.
"Our team identified and apprehended two individuals carrying multiple stolen phones hidden in an RFID pouch around their waist," the statement said.
For those unfamiliar, RFID bags are lined with electromagnetic shielding material that blocks radio waves and are often used to prevent the digital theft of documents and devices containing sensitive information.
The statement added that the suspects were promptly turned over to police and the recovered phones are now in their custody.
Rebel also pushed back against claims that security at the concert venue has not been strict enough, leading to such incidents occurring quite often.
"This was the result of a planned internal effort — our security staff took it upon themselves to spot, track, bait, and stop the thieves," read the statement.
While officials acknowledge there is no guarantee security will catch every offender in the future, the incident signals that the Rebel team shares guests' frustrations. The venue says it is taking ongoing complaints about alleged pickpocketing seriously as concerns have weighed on Rebel’s reputation in recent years.
Screenshot via Instagram.
Since releasing the statement, Rebel has been met with an outpouring of support across social media. Many comments have expressed relief and praised the security team's efforts that led to the weekend arrests.
"Well done, Rebel staff! More of this in 2026," one user commented. Another said, "Good on the @rebeltoronto team! Had mine stolen just over a few years ago there. Glad they're taking this more seriously now."
An image of one of the accused has been circulating on social media since news of the arrest broke. Some users online have claimed to recognize her, though those allegations have not been verified.
Rebel assures its guests that the venue will continue to put their safety and security first, and encourages concert attendees to continue to remain diligent about their surroundings and belongings.
Rebel Toronto
