Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN
This is the moment a stunning carnival queen has her phone expertly stolen by an elderly woman pickpocket as she poses for photos with fans.
The incident occurred during the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos (Black and White Carnival) in the Miraflores area of the city of Pasto in the southern Colombian department of Narino and was filmed by an onlooker.
In the video, Rouse Cortes, who was named the queen of the carnival and can be seen wearing a crown and traditional face paint, poses for photos with fans.
An elderly woman dressed in all-white smiles in the background as Cortes poses but the OAP then appears to pinch the carnival queen’s phone.
Picture Credits: CEN & CEN/@rousevalentinac
Cortes, 20, continues posing but can then be seen alarmed, patting her pockets as she looks for her stolen phone.
The video was shared by local police on social media and reports state that the female culprit was later arrested along with two of her accomplices.
Cortes thanked the authorities as they recovered her phone and asked residents to look after the image of the city.
The carnival queen is reportedly studying international business management.
The Carnaval de Negros y Blancos is one of the most important events in southern Colombia. It is held between the 2nd and 7th January and is a tourist attraction. It was labelled as Immaterial Cultural Heritage in 2002 by UNESCO.