Distraction thieves jailed after multi-county stealing spree

A pair of men who stole more than £50,000 worth of mobile phones, bank cards, and cash during a campaign of theft across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and the Thames Valley area have been jailed today.

Norwich Crown Court heard how Florin Petrache and Gabriel Stanescu would work together visiting business premises like beauty salons, estate agents, dental surgeries and a library to steal phones and personal belongings.

Petrache would enter business premises pretending to be Italian, introducing himself as ‘Mario’, and claiming to need help with some translation.

He would then use a piece of paper or leaflet to cover a person’s phone or wallet using sleight of hand to conceal and steal it.

Stanescu’s role was to act as the driver.

Petrache, 34, of no fixed abode and from the Great Yarmouth area appeared at Norwich Crown Court and was jailed for two years.

He had admitted to eight counts of theft and asked for 31 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Stanescu, 22, of Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, admitted to six offences, asked for 27 others to be taken into consideration and was jailed for 21 months.

The pair were arrested on March 12, 2024, on the A149 between North Walsham and Cromer following a mobile phone theft from a business in Dersingham where a victim had been able to supply a registration for a Green Lexus believed to be involved.

Once stopped a number of handsets matching those reported stolen that day were found inside the vehicle, as well as several others.

Both were taken to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning and later charged.

Further investigations across multiple forces linked the pair to a series in February/March of this year and Petrache to a similar spree in October 2020.

While in custody they engaged with Operation Converter and following further inquires admitted to a further 58 similar offences between them.

Sgt Holly Metcalf and PC Vicky Sweetland, who lead the investigation, said “This was a complex and detailed investigation across different forces with multiple victims, CCTV and eye-witness providing evidence going back four years.

"These types of offences are a stark reminder to keep your valuables out of sight and be aware when using expensive items in public.”