Pickpocketing up 175% in downtown Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Getting your wallet, purse or phone stolen can cause a whole lot of headaches but it's happening more and more in Austin. Pickpocketing is up 65% across the city since last year."You see some lady with a Louis Vuitton purse in their shopping cart, or just barely sat down next to her feet or hanging off a chair at a restaurant, and she's so engaged (in conversation) that (pickpocketers) know (they) get cash for that," said Valor Defense Academy business owner Kelsey Crouch.