This is the face of a man who targeted women in Birmingham city centre to steal their iPhones. 'Professional' pickpocket Alexandru Petcu took devices from three victims, one of whom was pregnant at the time. The victims were devastated due to losing sentimental photographs such as honeymoon snaps and even a sonogram, as well as important documents and access to their online banking.
Petcu, a 32-year-old Romanian, claimed he was stealing to buy food and clothes - yet he was staying at luxurious accommodation at The Cube at the time. West Midlands Police released his picture after he was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court last month. Petcu first struck on March 9 this year, then again four days later and for a third time on July 11.
The phones he pocketed were worth more than £2,700 in total. READ MORE: Bar shooting suspect fled country on brother's passport "He walked around Birmingham city centre trying to pick targets, in due course standing very close by and stealing items from people's pockets," said prosecutor Philip Brunt. He added: "Frankly it was a professional operation.
It was the only reason he was in the city centre to target those people." One of the women was followed around a Boots store on her break from work. In a statement she spoke of the upheaval of having to cancel her bank cards when she returned to her shift.
Another victim, who was eight months pregnant at the time, lost her baby sonogram images and also received late payment fines due to not being able .
