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🔴 City with at least one stopped pick-pocket


September 18, 2019

151 Stopped Pick-Pocket: European Trip Saved Day One in Madrid!

Europe ›   Madrid ›   Spain ›  

Editor's Note: This is the second stop in a row in Spain!

Dear Clothing Arts,

Day one in Madrid. July 14, 2019. Our family of 6 standing near the theater waiting for our show to start. We all leave in a group but my father-in-law was a little behind us. In a split second a man ran into him abruptly, almost to knock him over. He felt the man's hand against his Convertible Pants pocket (he was wearing the shorts at the time). My father in law turned around and he was gone.

It happened around a large crowd with plenty of distractions. Good thing he was wearing his Convertible Pants!! So glad we have a variety of pants and shorts for our trip. We don’t return to the USA until the end of July and have more cities to visit. Day one could have been a disaster but thank goodness we came prepared.

Thank you Clothing Arts!!

- Kelly S. from Florida, USA




September 01, 2019

150 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Frustrated "Mr. Pickpocket" in Old Town Barcelona!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   Spain ›  

Editor's Note:  Incredibly, this is milestone stopped pick-pocket #150, and the 14th overall known stop in Barcelona!

Dear Clothing Arts,

On 6 July 19, my wife and I were on our way back to our hotel from the Old Town district of Barcelona in mid-afternoon via a well-trafficked residential street (stop lights, not just pedestrian crosswalks) when we both felt something warm hit us from behind. It was a warm, thick, light brownish liquid which we immediately took to be pigeon splatter down our backs.

A “good samaritan” came from an apartment building entrance way saying along the lines of “I saw what happened. Allow me to help.” He produced a handful of small, white cocktail-type napkins and a bottle of water out of his carry pouch, proceeded to wet them and indicated that I should clean the wife while he “worked” on me. With the shock, disgust, and embarrassment of the moment, all seemed perfectly reasonable.

Despite the fact that Mr. Pickpocket had the opportunity to be hands-on-body for more than ample time to lift my wallet several times over, my Clothing Arts travel pants kept my wallet safe in my front, zippered, and buttoned pocket. The frustrated pickpocket departed empty-handed in the opposite direction of our travel with NOTHING when we discovered that the goo was a cappuccino, not a pigeon.

I will be adding a third pair of travel adventure pants to my travel wardrobe before our next trip! Thank You Clothing Arts!!

- Loren W. from West Virginia, USA




August 16, 2019

147 Stopped Pick-Pocket: 1½ Stops On Barcelona's Metro!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   Spain ›  

Editor's Note: This is your 13th known stop in Barcelona and two stop in a row for the city!

Dear Clothing Arts,

A few weeks ago in Barcelona my wife and I were getting on a metro elevator from street level to go down to the metro. We each had a small suitcase and a backpack. A guy squeezed onto the elevator with us and I felt his hand trying to get into my front top pocket. When we arrived at the bottom all he had accomplished was getting the button open, the first of 3 layers. I just laughed at the jerk.

Watch out if you are going on these metro elevators. On a metro, I had a guy staring at my pants pocket. He didn't even bother. He seemed to know it wasn't going to work out well for him.

Thanks for the great pants. I have long and short models.

- Steven S. from Texas, USA.




August 06, 2019

146 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Barcelona's Well-Dressed Metro Pick-Pocket!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   Spain ›  

Editor's Note: This is your 12th known stop in Barcelona!

Dear Clothing Arts,

Pick​​-Pocket testimonial happened yesterday in Barcelona on the metro to the Sagrada Familia. He was successfully stopped and they got nothing.

I was on my way in the Metro when a well-dressed male moved in the car to stand by my side. He had his jacket over his left arm, and he pretended he was getting ready to leave the metro. I think I felt something, but sincerely, I did not pay much attention.

One-stop later I left the metro and realized the robber ha​d​ already opened the first layer of security. That is the zipper on my left pocket. He was unable to go further, so I was saved by your excellent product.

Thank you.

Luis P. from California, USA.​




June 26, 2019

132 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Granada Cathedral Pick-Pocket Team Magically Disappears!

Europe ›   Granada ›   Spain ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

My wife and I were entering the Granada Cathedral late in the afternoon in February and there was a small group of people milling around the entrance. A man appeared out of nowhere and put his arms around me and his hands swiftly swarmed all over my body. I heard the loud voice of an old man who was shrugging behind me to be aware of the first man. It is not sure to me whether the second man was a good Samaritan or a planted diversion. As I was turning to acknowledge the second man, the first man slipped into the cathedral and magically disappeared forever.

Afterwards, we kept replaying the incident in our head about what exactly had occurred. Who else in the crowd might have been involved? Was I over-reacting? Was he just in a hurry to get into choir practice or some such? It all happens so fast. I kept mentally inventorying in my mind wondering did he take anything? I was totally intact and did not lose anything. It was strange and upsetting but all at once reassuring. I was protected and I actually felt better afterward knowing that my valuables were, in fact, secure.

We also witnessed another scam in Madrid that did not involve us…or did it? An old gypsy woman with some other colorful characters were walking together near the Plaza del Sol and she literally flew out of her shoes and landed on the ground. Immediately many concerned people jumped to her rescue to help her and get her on her feet again. Her entourage was busy mingling with the crowd in a very choreographed way. We felt conflicted on an immediate level but were quick to get away from the whole mess. Regardless, I was glad that I was wearing my Clothing Arts garb and felt secure that nothing was taken from me.

It is always a good idea to be vigilant and aware of our surroundings regardless. I suspect that pickpockets and scammers tend to go for the low-hanging fruit. Distracted and unprepared naive tourists are so vulnerable. Their brain is on vacation and they tend to be careless and vulnerable. It is such a comfort to be as secure as possible as we move through the world enjoying the sites​.

- John G. from Cape May, NJ, USA.




June 11, 2019

129 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Zipper Catches Madrid Pick-Pocket Red-Handed!

Europe ›   Madrid ›   Spain ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

My nephew bought a pair of men’s pants for my brother who is currently wearing them on a European trip. I understand some young girl was trying to pick pocket him and her fingers got caught in the zipper in Madrid.

My nephew and brother live in Trinidad and Tobago. Your clothes are famous worldwide! I never heard about your company until my nephew gave me the info.

- Carol F from Ontario, Canada




June 02, 2019

126 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Pick-Pocket Blocked in Old Town Barcelona!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   Spain ›  

Editor's Note: This is your 11th overall stopped pick-pocket in Barcelona, #3 on our "unofficial" pick-pocket capital of the world list.

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was wearing the business traveler pants in the Old Town district of Barcelona on April 29th. I had placed my mobile phone in the inner Velcro-secured front pocket and zipped the pocket closed. Hearing footsteps from behind, I saw a man closing in fast from the side. He reached for the pocket with the cell phone. I blocked his advance and he took off. This was more of a strong-armed robbery attempt than a pickpocket attempt, but the pants protected my valuables wonderfully.

- Robert K. from Wisconsin, USA.​




December 13, 2018

99 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Barcelona Investment Pays Off!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   Spain ›  

Editors Note: This your 10th stopped pick-pocket in Barcelona and comes to us via a recent review.

Rating: ★★★★★
Item: Adventure Traveler Pants

"I bought these for a trip to Barcelona because of many warnings about pickpockets. A pickpocket attempted to take my wallet and was foiled. They were a good investment."




October 26, 2018

91 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Barcelona Metro Team Head Home Empty Handed!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   Spain ›  

Editor's Note: This is your 9th stopped pick-pocket in Barcelona!

Dear Clothing Arts,
 
On Day 4 of our trip to Spain this month, we were on the Barcelona metro at rush hour, on our way back to the hotel from a day out. At the stop before ours four young men boarded, three stood between us and the door. Oddly, one moved behind me and stood there without grabbing a rail. As the train pulled into the station one of the men who stood in front of my wife suddenly bent over and began to wretch and spit up a little bit on the floor. His and his friend's position prevented my wife from moving forward. The man on the floor looked up at us and wretched again. At that point, I noticed the man behind me had his hand in my front pocket. I removed the man’s hand and we exited. Because of Barcelona’s reputation for active pick-pockets, I never went anywhere without my wallet and passport zipped inside the interior pocket of my Clothing Arts business shorts. The man managed to unzip the outer pocket without me noticing – so I was grateful for the secret Clothing Arts zipped pocket – two zippers too many to undo. Without Clothing Arts shorts I would have been without money, credit cards and travel docs. Whew. By the way, I wear my Clothing Arts business shorts even when not traveling all summer long because they are my favorite fit and finish of any short available.
 
So thanks for your great shorts, I’ll never travel anywhere without them.

- Charles S. from North Carolina, USA

 




December 21, 2017

70th & 71st Stopped Pick-Pockets: Two Stops In One Trip - Rome & Barcelona!

Barcelona ›   Europe ›   italy ›   Rome ›   Spain ›  

(Left) Arch of Constantine in Rome, Italy | (Right) Aerial View of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain

Editor's Note: This stopped pick-pocket story originally comes from a ***** star review on our Pick-Pocket Proof® Adventure Travel Pants. Our Founder / Designer immediately reached out and was able to get some more detailed information on the stopped pick-pocket experiences. Check out Clark's original review and full email below!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I don't know if you remember, however I ordered the Travel Pants, but they were not scheduled to arrive until after we departed. You answered the phone as you were leaving the shop, and personally got me the Adventure pants - overnight - as a replacement!! (BTW-I just ordered the Travel pants yesterday in anticipation of my 6th trip to Russia, searching for the remains of Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov. The GD, brother of Tsar Nikolas, was actually the last Tzar and was murdered in June 1918 outside the city of Perm.)

Incident #1 - Barcelona

We were walking on a side street of Las Ramblas, actually in the market - fish, meat, pastries, cheese, vegetables...and it was crowded! I felt someone brush against me - not unusual, however their hand was trying to open my front right pocket. I never got a good look at the perpetrator due to the movement of the crowd.

Incident #2 - Rome

I have lived and worked in many countries and try to blend. I usually buy a local newspaper and shove it under my arm, hoping the locals will think I belong. Unfortunately I did not have time to purchase a paper and was trying to figure out the train platform and departure time. I just looked lost and harried and hence a target for being bumped into with the intent of relieving me of my wallet. The individuals who "bumped" into me were very apologetic and, of course, worried about the mess they had made with my clothes, especially the pants which they tried to smooth out! Sorry about their luck!

- G. Clark from Colorado, USA



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