What was meant to be a night of celebration in Dagupan turned into a nightmare for many after dozens of festivalgoers lost their phones to thieves — but police moved quickly and caught the suspects with 48 stolen devices.

A student from Cabanatuan City went to the Dagupan City Police Station around 1 a.m. on May 1 to report that someone had stolen his cellphone during the Kalutan ed Dalan street festival.

Using a device tracker, police found that the phone was inside a bus that had already left the city.

Officers launched a pursuit operation and caught up with the bus at the Rosales Bus Stop.

“Pagdating sa Rosales bus stop... doon po nila na-flag down yung bus na sinasakyan ng may hawak ng cellphone,” PCpt. Shayne Daciego, the station’s public information officer, said.

With the help of the bus driver, conductor, and some passengers, the police were able to search the vehicle. They confirmed the phone was on board when it rang when dialed.

“Miniskol yung phone tapos nag-ring kaya na-identify na nasa loob ng bus yung cellphone,” Daciego added.

Authorities arrested four suspects — three sisters and one man, the live-in partner of one of them. All are residents of Quezon City and were identified positively by the complainant.

Police recovered a total of 48 cellphones from the group, including 16 iPhones.

One of the victims, Jannah Myka Tag-at from Barangay Bonuan Binloc, confirmed that her phone was among the units recovered.

“Crowded talaga, hindi ko namalayan [na] 'tong bag ko, na-open na pala nila. Nakuha na yung phone ko,” she said.

In the days that followed, more people came to the police station to report their phones were also stolen during the festival.

“Siksikan po talaga. Lahat ng tao nakagilid... pagkapa ko sa cellphone ko, wala na yung iPhone,” one victim said.

The suspects were brought to court and now face criminal charges.

Based on the suspect's initial statements to police, they said they resorted to stealing due to poverty.