Five pickpockets arrested at El Campín during BTS concert in Bogotá
Five suspected thieves were detained near El Campín stadium during the second BTS concert in Bogotá on 3 October. A young man was also arrested for impersonating a police officer on TransMilenio.
Theft and police impersonation at BTS concert surroundings in Bogotá
Five suspected criminals were arrested on Saturday 3 October 2026 in the vicinity of El Campín stadium in Bogotá during the second performance by South Korean band BTS in the Colombian capital, according to infobae.com.
According to authorities, those detained allegedly took advantage of the massive crowd of event attendees to carry out robberies among the public using the method known as pickpocketing: the theft of mobile phones, wallets and other personal objects through physical contact, shoving or distraction in high-traffic areas.
Radio communication, key piece of investigation
During one of the operations, uniformed officers found a radio communication device in the possession of one of those arrested. The device became a piece of interest for investigations, given that it may have been used to coordinate other members of a possible criminal group.
Among the hypotheses being considered by authorities is that some members of the gang identified possible victims, while others approached to carry out the thefts and move the stolen objects. Investigators are also seeking to establish whether there were contacts with people located outside the perimeter where the arrests were made.
For now, authorities have not reported whether belongings of attendees were recovered or whether there are more people identified in the investigation. The five detainees were placed at the disposal of the competent authorities, who must define their legal situation.
Context: more than 50,000 spectators per night
The BTS performance in Bogotá drew more than 50,000 spectators each night at El Campín, where the group performed concerts on 2 and 3 October. It was the band's first performance in Colombia and generated massive public movements from hours before doors opened.
The high attendance led authorities to reinforce police presence and controls on access routes, meeting points and commercial areas near the stadium. Large-format events typically raise the risk of opportunistic crimes, particularly during entry and exit routes, when attendees carry mobile phones, money, documents and other valuable objects.
Young man arrested for impersonating police officer on TransMilenio
In a separate incident occurring during the same day, a 19-year-old young man was detained at the San Victorino station of TransMilenio in central Bogotá after being caught with clothing similar to that of the National Police and presenting himself to other people as a "lieutenant" of the institution.
The operation was carried out as part of a registration and identification day by the Mass Transport Group. An assistant alerted her colleagues about the man, who claimed to belong to the public force and asserted he held that rank. The uniformed officers approached and requested a voluntary search, during which they found a jacket and other items with characteristics similar to those used by the Police.
Authorities made the arrest in flagrante delicto for the alleged illegal use of uniforms and insignia. The young man was placed at the disposal of the Office of the Attorney General together with the seized clothing. The investigating body must establish whether there are sufficient elements to bring charges against him and proceed with his prosecution.
The conduct under investigation covers the unauthorised use of items, insignia or elements that could lead other people to believe that the wearer belongs to an official institution. The proceedings are also seeking to determine whether the young man used that appearance to obtain some benefit or intervene in additional incidents.
The Police did not report any complaints from citizens affected by the alleged impersonation, nor provided details about the length of time the detainee allegedly wore the clothing.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá