Jail for distraction thieves who stole dozens of phones

Two men who stole over £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 today been jailed.

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.

Typically, 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, aged 34, of no fixed abode and from the Great Yarmouth area appeared at Norwich Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday 31 July 2024 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, aged 22, of Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, admitted to six offences and asked for 27 others to be taken into consideration.

He was jailed for 21 months.

The pair were arrested on 12 March 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.

Stanescu denied being involved in the October series saying he was in Romania.

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.

"We have been supported in our investigation by the Op Converter team who have again gained excellent results for our victims and assisted in bring these prolific offenders to justice.

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

Staff supervisor for Op Converter Duncan Etchells said: "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 well over £1,000 it is easy to become a target.

“With both now behind bars the number of phones stolen will be reduced and shows Norfolk Police’s commitment to bringing to justice those who steal from our citizens.”