SINGER-songwriter Rockwell Ryan Ripperger of American pop band Stephen Speaks lost his mobile phone during a show in Bacolod City on Saturday night.
However, the item was recovered after a footage of a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera revealed the culprit.
The singer had a show at Gunny’s All American Burger, SpoonMugnet, and Licuala Grandis Food Park, along C.L. Montelibano.
Ripperger placed his cellphone, which contained his recent works, on the cocktail table at the left side of the stage while he was performing, only to find it later gone.
A review of a CCTV footage showed the singer’s phone was taken by an audioman, who was fixing the wire cables near the cocktail table.
He stacked some things on the table before putting the phone in his pocket.
He was caught immediately.
Organizer Joe Louie Baylon said they called the police but the suspected thief apologized and returned the phone to the singer, who decided not to press charges.
He added that it was an isolated case.
“As a matter of fact, he (Rippenger) had a great time with the huge crowd turnout and he is looking forward to his next visit,” he said.
The band Stephen Speaks popularized the songs “Passenger Seat,” “Out of My League,” and “What'll She Look Like” in the late ‘90s and early 2000.
Ripperger was in the country for the benefit concert tour for Marawi City.