Romanian pair jailed for £30k mobile phone theft scam

Florin Petrache, 34, and Gabriel Stanescu, 22, asked unsuspecting staff at business and offices in towns across Norfolk for their help with queries saying they could not speak English. 

The requests were instead an elaborate ruse during which they would steal mobile phones, Norwich Crown Court was told.

Florin Petrache was the mastermind of the scam, who used sleight of hand techniques to steal phones (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Among the premises targeted were estate agents, care homes, dentists, hair salons and shops in locations including King’s Lynn, Thetford, Fakenham, Dereham, Watton, Attleborough, Dersingham, Holt and Cromer.

READ MORE: Men charged following spate of phone thefts across Norfolk

Their crime spree also included dozens of other similar thefts dating back to 2020 in Suffolk, Essex, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Jude Durr, prosecuting, said the thefts had taken significant planning and involved a “sophisticated method”.

“They showed the guile of a confidence trickster combined with the sleight of hand of a close-up magician,” he added.  

Once inside the chosen target Petrache had asked people to help with queries like asking for directions which would often involve them using a phone, said Mr Durr.

The Romanian pair asked business staff for help but would them steal handsets (Image: PA)

During the conversation he would then use a paper document to hide a phone which he would then steal. 

The court was told victims of the scam had circulated CCTV images and descriptions of the pair to alert other business owners. 

READ MORE: Warning issued after spike in phone thefts in Norfolk

The Romanian nationals were both arrested in April 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 Lexus.

Once stopped a number of handsets matching those reported stolen that day were found inside the vehicle, as well as several others.

'You preyed upon goodwill of strangers'

Petrache, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to eight thefts and asked for a further 31 between October 2020 and March 2024 to be taken into consideration.

Stanescu, of Ranelagh Road in Ipswich, admitted six thefts with another 27 taken into account.

Gabriel Stanescu acted as the chauffeur on the crime spree to towns across Norfolk (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

In total phones worth £30,000 were stolen while many victims suffered further losses on phone contracts.

Many had feared their bank and personal details had been compromised while others had been left scared of helping strangers, the court was told. 

Judge Anthony Bate jailed Petrache for two years and Stanescu for 21 months saying they had “repeatedly preyed on the goodwill of strangers who were only trying to help you”.

He told both men: “In all likelihood you will face deportation back to Romania upon your release.”

Stark reminder to keep your valuables out of sight

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.

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

Alexander Court Care Home in Thetford and William H Brown in Dereham were among the places the locations they targeted (Image: Google)

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor for Op Converter, which deals with taken in consideration offences, 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.”