Calgary police say they are aware of several thefts of phones on the Stampede grounds in recent days.
Acting Sgt. Jon Pierce says they know of at least three thefts on the Stampede grounds, including two reportedly taken in Nashville North on Saturday, as well as two more at the Badlands Music Festival.
“Anyone who’s doing this on purpose is going to try to distract you. Whether they’re bumping into you or taking up your time or whatever it is, if something doesn’t feel right, use your gut,” says Pierce.
Jaiden Hein says she was attending the Nashville North concert with her friends when she believes someone picked her pocket and stole her phone.
“We all started looking on the ground,” says Hein. “There were a couple of other girls who were looking. They said their phones were stolen as well.”
Hein says that since Saturday she has been panicking and stressed.
“It’s like an uncomfortable feeling. You don’t like it when someone has or can have access to all your stuff,” she says.
Get daily national news
Get Canada’s daily news delivered to your inbox so you never miss the top news of the day.
Hein is one of many people who have taken to social media to warn others about the thefts and share information as well. Among dozens of comments, some say that when they tried to ping their devices, it came back saying the phone was in Cochrane, Alta.
A screenshot of a Facebook comment showing where their phone was entered in Cochrane, Alta. after it was allegedly stolen on Saturday.
Credit: Facebook
“It was in the same place as a couple of other girls who had their phones stolen as well,” says Hein, who says hers was contacted near a hotel in Cochrane but isn’t sure if it’s still there.
“I don’t know because the ping is in the same place and it’s no longer live, so it could be anywhere, really.”
Police say they are aware of at least two phones that have come into Cochrane and are now working with Cochrane RCMP.
In a statement, the Badlands Music Festival says it is aware of phone thefts during riot-related events and is working closely with local police.
“The safety and security of our guests is a top priority,” the statement said, “and we encourage attendees to remain aware of their surroundings, keep personal belongings secure and report any suspicious activity to event staff or the police.”
Kerry Blizard with the Calgary Stampede is also aware of the thefts and says that since the event opened this year, only a handful of incidents like these have been seen.
“People come here to have fun and, you know, we encourage that this is a safe place to do that,” Blizard says. “There’s the occasional bad apple here and there that, you know, takes the opportunity to ruin things for the guests who were here to have fun.”
The Calgary Stampede is recommending that its guests keep their phones in their front pockets, tucked into their boots or in a crossbody bag.
Anyone who has been the victim of a burglary is asked to report it to police at the location located upstairs in the Big Four building, or by calling (403) 261-0595 or 911.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
