Organized bands of professional pickpockets are targeting East Village partiers — but quick-thinking club employees have started fighting back, working with cops to bust the thieves.
The thugs, who use a three-man system called “dipping,’’ last week were caught on video snatching a cellphone out of a woman’s purse at the trendy bar Bowery Electric, according to Deputy Inspector John Cappelmann, commanding officer of the Ninth Precinct.
“There are organized groups out there working the clubs,” he said.
The video shows one thug unclasp the victim’s purse, while a second reaches in and performs the “dip.”
Then he passes the loot on to a third person, Cappelmann said.
The next night, eagle-eyed bouncers spotted the dirtbags — wearing the same clothes as the night before — and called police, cops said.
Officers arrested a 25-year-old man early Sunday morning on charges of jostling and marijuana possession.
“We’re just doing our job trying to keep riffraff out of the bar,” said the manager of Bowery Electric, who asked not to be identified by name.
“I’m not taking credit for anything,’’ the manager said. “I did what any business owner would do. We want to stay in business.’’
Amy Jamison, who also works at the club, said, “It’s not like they are drunk and see an opportunity.
“They are professional thieves.”
Bowery Electric isn’t the only East Village bar fighting pickpockets.
Kevin Lynch, the owner of Solas at East Eighth Street and Second Avenue, said he and his employees twice have helped nab pickpockets who had been acting suspiciously.
“[We look for] people looking out of place, no drink in hand, both hands free, looking around the room,” Lynch said.
Lynch has beefed up his security team on weekends to combat the crooks.