Shocking moment thief steals kind-hearted woman's phone after walking into her shop and claiming he was an Italian tourist who needed help with a translation By Andrew Levy Published: 19:30 BST, 6 August 2024 | Updated: 19:30 BST, 6 August 2024 e-mail View comments This is the moment a greedy distraction thief walked away with a kind-hearted woman's phone after duping her into thinking he needed help. Florin Petrache strolled into the business claiming to be an Italian called Mario who needed help translating something. When his victim offered to take a look, he took a piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolded it, and held it in front of her to read at her desk.
With her mobile phone momentarily obscured from her view, he used sleight of hand to grab it behind the sheet of paper he was holding and carry it away. He then casually folded the paper around the handset with his other hand to make sure it was completely concealed from view as he left the premises. Florin Petrache strolled into the business claiming to be an Italian called Mario The 'lost tourist' distraction technique was used repeatedly by Petrache and an accomplice, Gabriel Stanescu, who acted as driver for the pair.
Over the course of just a few weeks in February and March this year, they managed to steal around £50,000 worth of mobile phones and cash using the same system in businesses including beauty salons, estate agents, dental surgeries and even a library. Sometimes a leaflet was used instead of a sheet of paper. The incident caught on CCTV occurred in February in Dereham, Norfolk, but the men also scammed people in Suffolk, Essex and the Thames Valley area.
They were finally caught on March 12 when a victim in Dersingham, west Norfolk, realised what had happened and noted down the registration of the green Lexus car they were using. Petrache then told the woman her needed her help translating something Police stopped the car on the A149 between North Walsham and Cromer and found several handsets matching those that had been reported stolen that day, as well as others that had been swiped previously. Petrache, 34, who was based in the Great Yarmouth area of Norfolk, has now been jailed for two years after admitting eight counts of theft and asking for 31 other offences to be taken into consideration.
Stanescu, 22, of Ipswich, Suffolk, received a 21-month jail term after pleading guilty to six theft charges, with another 27 offences taken into account. Norwich Crown Court heard Petrache had been responsible for a similar mini crimewave in October 2020. When his victim offered to take a look, he took a piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolded it, and held it in front of her to read at her desk Stanescu denied being involved in these earlier offences, claiming he had been in Romania at the time.
While in custody, both agreed to assist a force scheme called Operation Converter, under which criminals are encouraged to own up to unsolved crimes. The thieves, who are both understood to be from Romania, were told in court that they would be eligible for deportation after serving 12 months of their sentences. Sgt Holly Metcalf and PC Vicky Sweetland, who led the investigation, said after last week's sentencing: 'This was a complex and detailed investigation across different forces with multiple victims, CCTV and eye-witnesses providing evidence going back four years.
With her mobile phone momentarily obscured from her view, he used sleight of hand to grab it behind the sheet of paper he was holding and carry it away 'These types of offences are a stark reminder to keep your valuables out of sight and be aware when using expensive items in public.' Operation Converter supervisor Duncan Etchells added: 'Petrache and Stanescu were prolific offenders who locked onto the fact most unsuspecting people have their phones close to them at work as they go about their daily business. 'However, with many handsets now worth over £1,000, it is easy to become a target.
'With both now behind bars, the number of phones stolen will be reduced.' Share or comment on this article: Shocking moment thief steals kind-hearted woman's phone after walking into her shop and claiming he was an Italian tourist who needed help with a translation e-mail Add comment.
