CCTV footage shows USB swiped “ninja-style” from DJ booth
“I think there were a lot of emotions running through my head, but I just had to keep calm,” says Joshua Pillai aka RAAJ
On Monday, August 18, Singapore-based DJ and producer Joshua Pillai aka RAAJ, shared CCTV footage on Instagram revealing an incident where his USB sticks were stolen during a set at Behind The Green Door.
The video shows two men lingering in front of the DJ booth before one of them discreetly removed a USB and hid it in his shoe.
Joshua—who is also Managing Director of the venue—explained in his post that while he was briefly dealing with a song request, the pair coordinated the theft.
“One guy whips out his phone as a decoy while the other swoops in, ninja-style, pulls out my USB stick, and slides it into his shoe. Yes. His shoe,” he wrote in the post's caption.
The sudden removal caused the CDJs to trigger an emergency loop. “Within a second, I knew exactly what happened,” he adds.
Speaking to Mixmag Asia, Joshua described the moment as “a little distressing”, given the crowded dancefloor: “I was was more concerned on, like, that the music was gone and I needed to think of a back-up.”
Fortunately, another DJ’s USB was already plugged in, allowing him to continue the set.
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His sound technician and venue staff quickly tracked down the suspect, who returned the stolen device within minutes.
“I think there were a lot of emotions running through my head, but I just had to keep calm,” Joshua added.
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“I didn’t get a chance to talk the guy properly, but he told my security that someone dared or challenged him...I was puzzled,” he stated.
The club's security issued the individual a lifetime ban.
Despite the disruption, Joshua stressed that the majority of the night was still positive: “Honestly most of the crowd that came through that night at Behind The Green Door were having fun. Just sad it almost got spoilt by these actions.”
By sharing the footage, he hopes to remind other DJs to remain alert. “I think personally I was sharing for our Singapore scene. Be aware, be safe,” he said.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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