Two males who stole £50,000 value of cellphones and money are jailed

Two men who stole £50,000 worth of mobile phones and cash in brazen ‘lost tourist’ distraction thefts in the space of a few weeks have been jailed.

Florin Petrache and Gabriel Stanescu targeted businesses including beauty salons, estate agents and dental surgeries, as well as a library, in the crime spree that spanned several counties.

Petrache would enter the premises pretending to be an Italian called Mario and claiming he needed help translating something.

He would then show his victims a piece of paper or a leaflet that was used to cover their phone or wallet while he used sleight of hand to snatch them.

Stanescu’s role was to wait outside in a car and swiftly drive them away when Petrache emerged.

Florin Petrache, 34, who was based in the Great Yarmouth area of Norfolk, was jailed for two years for a series of distraction thefts targeting businesses across several counties

They were caught after one victim managed to scribble down a number plate of the getaway car and the men were arrested by police.

Petrache, 34, who was based in the Great Yarmouth area of Norfolk, was jailed for two years after appearing at Norwich Crown Court where he admitted eight counts of theft and asked 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.

The pair were arrested on March 12 this year on the A149 between North Walsham and Cromer in Norfolk after swiping a mobile phone from a business in Dersingham, where the victim noted the registration of the green Lexus they were using.

When the vehicle was stopped, officers found several handsets matching those reported stolen that day, along with a number of others taken on previous occasions.

They were taken to Great Yarmouth police station for questioning and were later charged.

Investigations revealed their criminal campaign had taken place across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the Thames Valley area in February and March this year.

Petrache had been responsible for a similar mini crimewave in October 2020. Stanescu denied being involved in these earlier offences, claiming he had been in Romania at the time.

While in custody, they agreed to assist a force scheme called Operation Converter, under which criminals are encouraged to own up to unsolved crimes.

Gabriel Stanescu, 22, of Ipswich, Suffolk, received a 21-month jail term for his role as a getaway driver after Petrache carried out the distraction thefts

Sgt Holly Metcalf and PC Vicky Sweetland, who led the investigation, said in a statement 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.’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.’