A pair of alleged international jewel thieves were arrested in Norfolk accused of a spate of audacious thefts totalling £50,000. 

Vadar-Ghimes Agafitei and Zinca Agafitei, both 46 and of Penge Road, London, are said to have stolen high-value items after targeting jewellery stores.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard the pair had previously been accused of stealing jewellery across Europe.

Speaking through a Romanian interpreter, the pair did not enter pleas to five counts of burglary. 

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Emma Pocknell, prosecuting, said they had been arrested following a theft at the Gold Store in Thetford on July 29.

Ten gold chains worth £15,000 had been stolen after staff had been distracted.  

It followed a string of similar incidents. In Salisbury, gold bracelets worth £20,000 were stolen on July 20. In Warwick, a Rolex watch worth £11,500 was taken on July 14. And in Hailsham, East Sussex, a £280 gold bracelet was taken on July 17.

Vadar-Ghimes Agafitei is also accused of fraud after £700 was withdrawn using a bank card stolen in Newmarket on July 25. 

They were remanded to remain in prison until a hearing at Norwich Crown Court on November 18.