Thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of phones from across Norfolk are jailed

Two men who stole more than £50,000 worth of mobile phones, bank cards, and cash during a campaign of theft have been jailed.

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

It was one such incident in Dersingham which led to their downfall, with a victim able to supply a registration number for their getaway vehicle.

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, with the offences committed across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and the Thames Valley area.

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

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

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

He was jailed for 21 months.

The pair were arrested on March 12 on the A149 between North Walsham and Cromer following a mobile phone theft from a business in Dersingham. 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 of thefts in February and 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, the thieves engaged with Operation Converter - and following further inquires admitted a further 58 similar offences between them.

Sergeant Holly Metcalf and PC Vicky Sweetland, who led the investigation, said: “This was a complex and detailed investigation across different forces with multiple victims, CCTV and eye-witnesses 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 bringing 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.”

Duncan Etchells, the staff supervisor for Operation Converter, 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.”